"Ever catch yourself feeling inexplicably small after spending time with certain people? You know the ones: You walk away from conversations wondering why you suddenly doubt yourself, even though nothing obviously negative happened. I used to think I was just being oversensitive, then I discovered there's actually psychology behind this phenomenon. Some people have mastered the art of making others feel diminished without anyone catching on to what they're doing."
"Have you ever been mid-sentence when someone jumps in to "help" finish your thought? Not in a supportive way, but in a way that subtly suggests you weren't getting to the point fast enough or clearly enough? This happened constantly with a former colleague of mine. I'd be explaining something in a meeting, and she'd cut in with "What she means is..." or "To simplify what she's saying..." The kicker? She'd often misrepresent my point entirely, but by then the conversation had already moved on."
Certain individuals use subtle conversational maneuvers and memory strategies to erode others' confidence. Interrupting with seemingly "helpful" additions seizes control of a narrative and can misrepresent the original speaker's point. Confidently asserting an alternate version of events or dismissing another's recollection creates self-doubt and memory uncertainty. These behaviors operate beneath overt hostility and often go unnoticed while producing a sense of diminished competence. Recognizing patterns such as conversational narcissism and selective memory rewriting enables people to identify manipulation and reduce its emotional impact.
Read at Silicon Canals
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