8 Ways Language is Used to Manipulate You
Years ago, I was at work and speaking with a colleague about the weather. “It’s going to be a one two punch,” he said. “You’ve listened to too many forecasts, you are starting to repeat exactly what you hear,” I said. We both laughed and didn’t give it a second thought.
Think about it. How often do we hear a word or phrase and adopt that specific language, and how does it impact how we think? It happens more often than you realize.
This isn’t new, although it has morphed over the years. In the 50s-70s, advertisers were accused of using subliminal seduction to influence people through hidden messages, typically to buy something. While that was bad enough, today’s manipulation of words is much more dangerous because language is used for control, and language control leads to thought control, which ultimately leads to controlling behavior. Scary and true.
Words and phrases are introduced or redefined to influence not only how we think, but how we react. Specific words and phrases are often repeated by media, politicians, and then adapted by influencers and other celebrities. We hear the words, phrases, and thoughts over and over and eventually, if not careful, we start using the same words and thoughts as if they are our own.
Propaganda has been used by many governments and institutions over the years. The goals may vary but their methods are always the same. Take a look at this list and see if you have noticed any of these recently:
Repetition. The more you hear the same words and phrases repeated over and over, the more likely you are to believe it is true - even without evidence. This is most often seen in advertising slogans, political talking points, and viral hashtags.
Fear. Fear will drive people to do or think things they may otherwise not even entertain. Fear driven messages often have an urgency (act now or…), focus on worse case scenarios, or are driven by political ads and messages that focus on threats.
Creating and Us vs Them Mentality. By labeling a particular group, you automatically pull that group or your group out of the general population, showing that “they are different” or “we are different.”
Information Overload. Overwhelming people with information until becomes difficult to distinguish the truth from fiction. This is done by endless and rapidly changing news cycles, constant updates on social media, and conflicting opinions and analyses of every single event.
Social Proof. Let’s face it, people follow the crowd. Trending topics, large crowds at protests or rallies, statements like “everyone agrees” or “millions agree,” and celebrity grandstanding can work together to influence people even though popular opinion does not make anything accurate.
Spin. Presenting facts in a way to emphasize one interpretation. This is most often seen in partial or misleading headlines, but is many times carried over into full articles, newscasts, or social media posts.
Self-Censorship. When an environment is created where people avoid expressing their opinions for fear of professional or personal consequences. The result is a narrower range of viewpoints and public debate.
Identity Reinforcement. When any message focuses on someone’s race, religion, political affiliation, or any other group instead of the individual, people become afraid of betraying their group. This also plays into the us and them mentality mentioned earlier.
Are you susceptible to any of these methods? Here’s how you can tell:
You are likely to shut down any opposing view. You may not even look at their “evidence” for their point of view.
You have cut off or blocked friends and family who have opposing views.
You label people with certain views, or call them names.
You have become afraid of certain groups or people based on information alone.
You mostly pay attention to anything that reinforces your opinion and negate everything else.
Pay attention. Listen to the words, and more importantly, the messages that are being repeated over and over. Take notice and watch your own language to make sure you are not empowering those using language to manipulate.
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