Manipulation refers to the act of influencing or controlling someone or something in a skillful but often deceptive manner. It can occur in various contexts, such as personal relationships, marketing, or politics, where one party seeks to gain an advantage over another. Manipulation often involves tactics that exploit emotions, trust, or vulnerabilities. In psychology, manipulation can be seen as a form of social influence that may lead to changes in behavior or beliefs. While some forms of manipulation can be benign or even helpful, others can be harmful, leading to feelings of betrayal or loss of autonomy for the manipulated individual.