psychology – LIBERTY PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION

What you may do if you have been going through Chronic Bullying:

“Please, Seek Psychological and Legal Support.”

If you have been experiencing ongoing or repeated bullying, it is important to please take it seriously. Chronic bullying may affect psychological safety, self-esteem, relationships, concentration, sleep, and overall functioning.

What you may do

1-Recognize that it isn’t your fault.

2-Being repeatedly targeted does not mean you deserve the treatment or caused it.

3-Document what is happening.

4-Keep a factual record of dates, locations, people involved, what happened, witnesses, messages, emails, screenshots, or other evidence.

5-Set boundaries when it is safe.

6-A brief, firm response may be appropriate: “Do not speak to me that way.” Avoid escalating the situation if doing so could put you at greater risk.

7-Tell the authorities and someone trustworthy.

8-Depending on the setting, this could be a supervisor, HR representative, teacher, school administrator, family member, or another person who may intervene.

9-Reduce unnecessary exposure.

10-When possible, change routines, use safer environments, block abusive online accounts, and avoid being isolated with the person responsible.

11-Seek psychological and legal support.

12-A qualified mental health professional may help with the effects of prolonged bullying, including anxiety, shame, hypervigilance, withdrawal, loss of confidence, or trauma related symptoms.

13-Address the psychological aftermath, not just the bullying itself.

Chronic bullying may sometimes lead to learned helplessness, internalized criticism, social withdrawal, emotional dysregulation, or a persistent expectation of being attacked or rejected. These reactions may be treated.

14-If there are threats or physical danger, prioritize safety.

Get away from the immediate situation and contact appropriate emergency or protective resources rather than confronting the aggressor yourself.

15-An important distinction

If you have been expressing chronic bullying toward other people, in other words, you recognize that you have been repeatedly bullying others, the appropriate response is different. It involves taking responsibility, stopping the behavior, repairing harm where appropriate, and examining what is driving the behavior?

Possible, legal and psychological aspects and what to do next?

If you are experiencing chronic/repeated bullying, there are both psychological and legal dimensions. Depending in the country, state, city you live in,, the legal information below is general information, not individualized legal advice. “Please, Consult with a Qualified Lawyer.”

1. Psychological aspects

Chronic bullying may be more than an unpleasant interpersonal conflict. Repeated exposure to humiliation, intimidation, exclusion, threats, or harassment can create a prolonged stress response.

Possible effects may include:

Hypervigilance: constantly watching for the next attack

Anxiety, fear, irritability, or anger

Reduced self-esteem and self-confidence

Shame or self-blame

Social withdrawal and isolation

Difficulty concentrating or making decisions

Sleep disturbance

Depression or loss of motivation

Feeling powerless or trapped

Learned helplessness

Trauma related symptoms in some individuals

Certain Department’s of Education may recognize psychological intimidation, exclusion, rumor spreading, and similar conduct as forms of bullying; cyberbullying may also occur through technology.

Importantly, having psychological symptoms does not by itself establish that a particular person legally caused them. That’s one reason objective documentation is important.

2. Legal aspects: “Please, Consult with a Qualified Lawyer.”

There may not be one universal offense called “chronic bullying?” The legal consequences depend heavily on what was actually done, who did it, where it occurred, and the relationship between the parties.

Conduct that looks like bullying may potentially involve other legal issues, for example: “Please, Consult with a Qualified Lawyer.”

threats or violence

stalking

harassment

discriminatory or sexual harassment

employment discrimination

cyberbullying

assault or other criminal conduct

civil claims

violations of an existing restraining order

For example:

Certain courts may allow a civil harassment restraining order against someone who has harassed, threatened, physically or emotionally harmed, or stalked you, including conduct occurring online. A qualifying order may impose no contact and stay away requirements. “Please, Consult with a Qualified Lawyer.”

A judge may potentially issue temporary protection quickly, while a longer term civil harassment restraining order can last up to five years. “Please, Consult with a Qualified Lawyer.”

If the bullying is occurring at work, however, the legal analysis is more complicated. Workplace bullying may be unlawful merely because it is abusive or cruel; additional facts may matter, such as whether the conduct involves a legally protected characteristic or another prohibited form of conduct. Certain Civil Rights Department’s specifically addresses employment discrimination and harassment under state law. “Please, Consult with a Qualified Lawyer.”

3. What you may do next: “Please, Consult with a Qualified Lawyer.”

First, stop trying to prove the entire situation at once. Establish a factual record.

Example: Create a chronological log:

Date What happened Who was involved Witnesses Evidence Effect

08/26/26 Specific behavior Person(s) Names Email/text/video Missed work, anxiety, etc.

Keep original emails, texts, voicemails, screenshots, photographs, letters, and other records. Don’t alter them.

Example:

1. Separate facts from interpretations.

Write “John doe sent three messages between 9:00–9:15 PM saying X” rather than “John doe was psychologically manipulating me.”

2. Preserve evidence safely.

Don’t rely exclusively on an account or device that another person might control.

3. Avoid retaliation.

Don’t threaten, repeatedly contact, publicly shame, or attempt to “get even” with the person. That will complicate matters considerably.

4. Report through the appropriate channel.

Depending on circumstances, that could be an employer/HR, school administrator, platform, landlord, law enforcement, or another responsible authority.

5. Consider professional psychological support.

A therapist may help you distinguish the actual external behavior from the psychological effects it has produced and work on restoring psychological safety, boundaries, confidence, and functioning.

6. Consider legal consultation if the conduct is persistent or escalating.

An attorney or legal aid organization may determine whether the facts support a specific legal remedy. Certain courts also may provide self-help information for civil harassment restraining orders.

4. If you are considering a restraining order “Please, Consult with a Qualified Lawyer.”

The court may need specific conduct and specific events?

For example:

“Between June 4 and July 29, the respondent contacted me 27 times after I asked them to stop. On July 12, they threatened me by text. On July 20, they followed me from my workplace to my car. I have retained the messages and have two witnesses.”

That is substantially more useful legally than:

“I’ve been psychologically bullied for months.”

Certain court forms specifically ask for details concerning harassment, stalking, threats, or harm and what protection you are requesting.

One important distinction

If by “chronic bullying” you mean something different, such as a person repeatedly bullying you psychologically, socially, online, at work, or through stalking, the appropriate legal strategy may be very different. Please consult with a qualified lawyer for assistance.

Shervan K Shahhian

“Maxxing Culture” could be a contemporary internet culture centered :

“Maxxing Culture” could be a contemporary internet culture centered on the idea of maximizing or optimizing some aspect of yourself, appearance, fitness, productivity, money, status, relationships, or even mental performance.

The suffix “-maxxing” essentially means taking something to its perceived maximum. The language grew partly out of gaming terminology such as min maxing and later became strongly associated with online looksmaxxing communities.

Examples of possible “maxxing”

Looksmaxxing: maximizing physical attractiveness
Gymmaxxing: maximizing physique and muscular development
Moneymaxxing: maximizing income or financial status
Productivitymaxxing: optimizing work and productivity
Sleepmaxxing: trying to optimize sleep
Healthmaxxing: maximizing health and physical performance
Socialmaxxing: maximizing social status or interpersonal success

The mental health issue

There is an important distinction between healthy self-improvement and maxxing culture.

Healthy self-improvement may say:

“How can I become healthier, happier, and more capable?”

Maxxing culture can gradually become:

“I am not good enough unless I optimize myself.”

That shift may turn self-improvement into compulsive self-optimization. Social media may intensify the process through constant comparison, idealized images, ranking, and algorithmically reinforced content. Recent psychological commentary has connected extreme forms of looksmaxxing with unstable self-esteem, anxiety, body dissatisfaction, and self-rejection.

A useful psychological formulation

You may think of maxxing culture as:

Self-improvement, optimization, comparison, perfectionism, self-surveillance

The danger may be that the individual begins to experience the self as a project that is never finished.

Instead of “I want to improve myself,” the underlying psychological message becomes:

“I must continually upgrade myself to be worthy, attractive, successful, or socially acceptable.”

This makes maxxing culture particularly interesting from the perspectives of self-esteem, perfectionism, social comparison, body image, identity, and compulsive behavior.

And importantly, not every use of “-maxxing” is serious or harmful. Online, the term is also used humorously for example, someone might jokingly say they are “coffee-maxxing.” The concern arises when optimization becomes obsessive or one’s self-worth becomes dependent on achieving an ever moving ideal.

Shervan K Shahhian

Catfishing is a form of deception:

Catfishing is a form of deception in which someone creates a false online identity to manipulate, deceive, or exploit another person. The fake identity may involve stolen photos, a fabricated biography, or lies about age, occupation, relationship status, location, or intentions.

Possible Reasons People Catfish

People catfish for different reasons, that may include:

Seeking emotional attention or validation.
Escaping loneliness or low self-esteem.
Financial scams (“romance scams”).
Identity theft or fraud.
Revenge or harassment.
Entertainment or “trolling.”
Grooming or exploiting vulnerable individuals.

Possible Common Warning Signs

Some red flags may include:

They refuse to video chat or meet in person despite months of communication.
They have excuses for why they cannot meet (“I’m overseas,” “My camera is broken,” “I’m working on a secret project.”).
Their photos appear unusually professional or model like.
Their stories frequently change or contain inconsistencies.
They declare love or deep emotional attachment very quickly.
They ask for money, gift cards, cryptocurrency, or financial help.
They avoid answering direct personal questions.
Their social media presence is sparse, newly created, or lacks interactions from real friends.
They pressure you to keep the relationship secret.

Emotional Manipulation Techniques

Catfishers may use psychological tactics such as:

Love bombing: Excessive affection and compliments early in the relationship.
Emotional dependency: Making you feel like you’re the only person who understands them.
Creating crises: Constant emergencies requiring emotional or financial support.
Guilt: Making you feel responsible if you question them.
Isolation: Encouraging you to withdraw from family and friends.

How to Possibly Protect Yourself

Reverse search their profile photos using a search engine.
Ask for a live video call early in the relationship.
Verify details they tell you through public information when appropriate.
Never send money or share sensitive financial information.
Trust your instincts if something feels “off.”
Talk to trusted friends, family, and the authorities, because they may notice warning signs you miss.

What to Do If You Think You’re Being Catfished

Stop sending money or personal information.
Save screenshots and messages as evidence.
Ask for a live video call or another form of identity verification.
End contact if they continue making excuses or become manipulative.
Report the account to the platform where you met.
If money was involved, contact your bank immediately and report the fraud to the appropriate authorities.

Psychological Impact

Being catfished may lead to:

Betrayal and loss of trust
Shame or embarrassment
Anxiety and depression
Grief over the loss of what felt like a real relationship
Difficulty trusting future partners

It’s important to remember that catfishing relies on deception. Intelligent, cautious people can still become victims because scammers often exploit normal human needs for connection, affection, and companionship.

Report the fraud to the appropriate authorities.

Shervan K Shahhian

Catfishing maybe a form of deception in which someone creates a false online identity to manipulate,…

Catfishing maybe a form of deception in which someone creates a false online identity to manipulate, deceive, or exploit another person. The fake identity may involve stolen photos, a fabricated biography, or lies about age, occupation, relationship status, location, or intentions.

Common Reasons People Catfish

People may catfish for different reasons, including:

Seeking emotional attention or validation.
Escaping loneliness or low self-esteem.
Financial scams (“romance scams”).
Identity theft or fraud.
Revenge or harassment.
Entertainment or “trolling.”
Grooming or exploiting vulnerable individuals.

Common Warning Signs

Some red flags may include:

They refuse to video chat or meet in person despite months of communication.
They have excuses for why they cannot meet (“I’m overseas,” “My camera is broken,” “I’m working on a secret project.”).
Their photos appear unusually professional or model like.
Their stories frequently change or contain inconsistencies.
They declare love or deep emotional attachment very quickly.
They ask for money, gift cards, cryptocurrency, or financial help.
They avoid answering direct personal questions.
Their social media presence is sparse, newly created, or lacks interactions from real friends.
They pressure you to keep the relationship secret.

Emotional Manipulation Techniques

Catfishers may often use psychological tactics such as:

Love bombing: Excessive affection and compliments early in the relationship.
Emotional dependency: Making you feel like you’re the only person who understands them.
Creating crises: Constant emergencies requiring emotional or financial support.
Guilt: Making you feel responsible if you question them.
Isolation: Encouraging you to withdraw from family and friends.

How to Protect Yourself

Reverse search their profile photos using a search engine.
Ask for a live video call early in the relationship.
Verify details they tell you through public information when appropriate.
Never send money or share sensitive financial information.
Trust your instincts if something feels “off.”
Talk to trusted friends or family, they may notice warning signs you miss.

What to Do If You Think You’re Being Catfished

Stop sending money or personal information.
Save screenshots and messages as evidence.
Ask for a live video call or another form of identity verification.
End contact if they continue making excuses or become manipulative.
Report the account to the platform where you met.
If money was involved, contact your bank immediately and report the fraud to the appropriate authorities.

Psychological Impact

Being catfished may lead to:

Betrayal and loss of trust
Shame or embarrassment
Anxiety and depression
Grief over the loss of what felt like a real relationship
Difficulty trusting future partners

It’s important to remember that catfishing relies on deception. Intelligent, cautious people may still become victims because scammers often exploit normal human needs for connection, affection, and companionship.

Shervan K Shahhian

Self-Destructive Behaviors are patterns of thinking or acting that cause harm,…

Please, Consult with a Medical Doctor/Psychiatrist

Self-Destructive Behaviors are patterns of thinking or acting that cause harm to a person’s physical, emotional, social, financial, or psychological well-being, either immediately or over time. Sometimes these behaviors are intentional, but they maybe indirect or unconscious attempts to cope with overwhelming emotions, trauma, stress, or unmet psychological needs.

Self-destructive behaviors may provide temporary relief from emotional pain, but they usually create greater problems in the long run.

Common Types of Self-Destructive Behaviors

1. Physical Self-Harm

Deliberately injuring oneself without suicidal intent: Please, Consult with a Medical Doctor/Psychiatrist

Examples: Please, Consult with a Medical Doctor/Psychiatrist

Cutting
Burning
Hitting oneself
Scratching until bleeding
Hair pulling (in some cases)

Possible functions:

Reducing emotional distress
Feeling something during emotional numbness
Self-punishment
Regaining a sense of control

2. Substance Misuse and Abuse: Please, Consult with a Medical Doctor/Psychiatrist

Using alcohol or drugs in ways that damage health or functioning.

Examples:

Alcohol misuse and abuse: Please, Consult with a Medical Doctor/Psychiatrist
Misuse of prescription medications: Please, Consult with a Medical Doctor/Psychiatrist
Illicit drug use and abuse: Please, Consult with a Medical Doctor/Psychiatrist
Repeated intoxication despite consequences: Please, Consult with a Medical Doctor/Psychiatrist

Reasons may include:

Escaping painful emotions
Coping with trauma
Temporary emotional relief
Social pressure
Self numbing

3. Self-Sabotage

Behaviors that undermine one’s own success and/or well-being and/or future.

Examples:

Missing important deadlines
Procrastination that repeatedly causes serious consequences
Quitting meaningful goals prematurely
Damaging healthy relationships
Turning down opportunities because of fear of success

Often associated with:

Fear of failure
Fear of success
Low self-esteem
Perfectionism
Self Sabotage
Self hate

4. Risk-Taking Behaviors

Engaging in unnecessarily dangerous activities.

Examples:

Reckless driving
Unsafe sexual behavior: Please, Consult with a Medical Doctor/Psychiatrist
Dangerous thrill seeking
Repeated physical fights

These behaviors may reflect:

Impulsivity
Sensation seeking
Difficulty regulating emotions
Self-sabotage

5. Disordered Eating

Eating behaviors that significantly harm physical health or psychological health: Please, Consult with a Medical Doctor/Psychiatrist

Examples: Please, Consult with a Medical Doctor/Psychiatrist

Restrictive eating
Binge eating
Purging
Compulsive overeating

These behaviors may often be linked to:

Emotional regulation
Body image concerns
Anxiety
Trauma

6. Staying in Harmful Relationships

Remaining in relationships that involve emotional, physical, or psychological harm.

Reasons may include:

Fear of abandonment
Trauma bonding
Low self-worth
Financial dependence
Hope that the other person will change

7. Chronic Negative Self-Talk

Persistent self-criticism that reinforces emotional suffering.

Examples:

“I’m worthless.”
“I always fail.”
“No one will ever love me.”

Over time, this can contribute to depression, anxiety, and reduced self-confidence.

8. Neglecting Basic Self-Care: Please, Consult with a Medical Doctor/Psychiatrist

Ignoring fundamental physical and emotional needs.

Examples:

Poor sleep habits: Please, Consult with a Medical Doctor/Psychiatrist
Skipping meals: Please, Consult with a Medical Doctor/Psychiatrist
Avoiding medical care: Please, Consult with a Medical Doctor/Psychiatrist
Poor hygiene
Social isolation

9. Financial Self-Destruction

Patterns of behavior that repeatedly create financial hardship.

Examples:

Compulsive spending
Gambling
Refusing to budget
Accumulating unmanageable debt

Why Do People Engage in Self-Destructive Behaviors?

These behaviors often serve a psychological function rather than reflecting a genuine desire for harm.

Possible common contributing factors include:

Trauma or adverse childhood experiences
Depression
Anxiety disorders
Personality disorders
Substance use disorders: Please, Consult with a Medical Doctor/Psychiatrist
Chronic stress
Shame or guilt
Emotional dysregulation
Poor coping skills
Low self-esteem
Learned patterns from family or environment

From a psychological perspective, the behavior may temporarily reduce distress through negative reinforcement, the relief strengthens the likelihood of repeating the behavior, even though it has harmful long-term consequences.

Psychological Theories

Several frameworks help explain self-destructive behavior:

Cognitive Behavioral Theory (CBT): Maladaptive beliefs (“I deserve to suffer”) and unhelpful thinking patterns contribute to harmful behaviors.
Psychodynamic Theory: Unconscious conflicts, unresolved trauma, or self-punitive tendencies may underlie the behavior.
Attachment Theory: Insecure attachment and early relational experiences can influence later patterns of self-neglect or self-sabotage.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Emphasizes that self-destructive behaviors often function as attempts to regulate intense emotions or cope with distress.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Suggests that efforts to avoid or control painful internal experiences can paradoxically lead to behaviors that move a person away from their values.

Warning Signs

A person may be at increased risk if they:

Repeatedly harm themselves physically or emotionally: Please, Consult with a Medical Doctor/Psychiatrist
Engage in escalating risky behaviors: Please, Consult with a Medical Doctor/Psychiatrist
Express persistent hopelessness or worthlessness
Withdraw from friends and family
Neglect basic needs
Continue harmful behaviors despite significant negative consequences

Treatment

Treatment depends on the underlying causes but may include:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), particularly for emotion regulation and self-harm
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Trauma focused therapies (such as EMDR, when appropriate)
Motivational Interviewing for substance-related concerns
Medication when indicated for conditions such as depression or anxiety
Peer support and skills groups
Safety planning when there is a risk of self-harm or suicide

Can Self-Destructive Behaviors Change?

Yes. Some research shows that these behaviors maybe learned coping strategies, and with appropriate treatment and support, they may be replaced by healthier ways of managing stress and emotions.

Recovery typically involves:

Identifying triggers
Learning emotion regulation skills
Challenging unhelpful beliefs
Building self-compassion
Strengthening supportive relationships
Developing coping strategies that align with personal values

Key Point: Please, Consult with a Medical Doctor/Psychiatrist

Self-destructive behaviors are generally symptoms of underlying psychological distress, not personality flaws or evidence of weak character. Understanding the purpose these behaviors serve is an important step toward replacing them with healthier, more adaptive coping strategies. If someone is engaging in these behaviors frequently or they are escalating in severity, a comprehensive evaluation by a qualified mental health professional may help identify contributing factors and guide effective treatment.

Shervan K Shahhian

Psychotherapy encompasses a wide range of techniques:

Psychotherapy encompasses a wide range of techniques, each tailored to address different psychological issues and client needs.

Here are some major variations of psychotherapy techniques, (the explanations of each therapy is theocratical, not matter of fact):

1. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Focus: Changing negative thought patterns and behaviors.
Techniques: Cognitive restructuring, exposure therapy, and behavioral activation.

2. Psychodynamic Therapy

Focus: Unconscious processes and past experiences.
Techniques: Free association, dream analysis, and transference interpretation.

3. Humanistic Therapy

Focus: Personal growth and self-actualization.
Techniques: Client centered therapy, Gestalt therapy, and existential therapy.

4. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

Focus: Emotion regulation and interpersonal effectiveness.
Techniques: Mindfulness, distress tolerance, and emotion regulation strategies.

5. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Focus: Accepting thoughts and feelings while committing to values-based actions.
Techniques: Mindfulness, cognitive diffusion, and values clarification.

6. Interpersonal Therapy (IPT)

Focus: Improving interpersonal relationships.
Techniques: Role playing, communication analysis, and exploring relationship patterns.

7. Family Therapy

Focus: Family dynamics and communication.
Techniques: Structural therapy, strategic therapy, and systemic therapy.

8. Group Therapy

Focus: Interpersonal interaction in a group setting.
Techniques: Process groups, support groups, and psychoeducational groups.

9. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

Focus: Processing traumatic memories.
Techniques: Bilateral stimulation (eye movements, taps, sounds), cognitive restructuring.

10. Mindfulness-Based Therapy

Focus: Increasing awareness and acceptance of the present moment.
Techniques: Mindfulness meditation, body scan, and mindful breathing.

11. Art Therapy

Focus: Expressing emotions through creative processes.
Techniques: Drawing, painting, sculpting, and other forms of artistic expression.

12. Play Therapy

Focus: Helping the young express emotions and resolve conflicts through play.
Techniques: Role playing, storytelling, and use of toys and games.

13. Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT)

Focus: Building solutions rather than solving problems.
Techniques: Miracle question, scaling questions, and identifying exceptions.

14. Hypnotherapy: (alternative mental health)

Focus: Utilizing hypnosis to address various psychological issues.
Techniques: Induction, deepening, and post hypnotic suggestions.

15. Integrative or Eclectic Therapy

Focus: Combining elements from different therapeutic approaches.
Techniques: Tailored interventions based on client’s needs and therapist’s expertise.

Each of these techniques has its own theoretical foundations, methods, and areas of application, making it possible for therapists to choose and adapt their approach according to the specific needs of their clients.

Shervan K Shahhian

Machiavellianism maybe a personality trait characterized by strategic manipulation:

Machiavellianism is a personality trait characterized by strategic manipulation, emotional detachment, and a focus on personal gain or power. The term comes from Niccolò Machiavelli, whose writings, especially The Prince, were interpreted as emphasizing pragmatic, sometimes ruthless political strategy.

Key characteristics

Manipulative behavior: influencing others to achieve one’s goals.
Strategic thinking: planning several steps ahead.
Emotional detachment: making decisions with less regard for feelings.
Cynicism: assuming others are motivated by self-interest.
Focus on power, status, or advantage: prioritizing outcomes over relationships.

Common behaviors

A person high in Machiavellianism might:

Use flattery strategically.
Withhold information when it benefits them.
Form alliances for practical reasons rather than emotional closeness.
Exploit weaknesses or conflicts between people.
Appear charming while pursuing a hidden agenda.

Machiavellianism vs. healthy influence

Healthy influence	Machiavellian influence
Transparent communication	Hidden motives
Mutual benefit	Primarily self-benefit
Respect for boundaries	Willingness to bend boundaries
Empathy and trust	Calculated use of trust
Long-term healthy relationships	Long-term control or advantage

The “Dark Triad”

In psychology, Machiavellianism maybe grouped with:

Machiavellianism

Strategic manipulation

Manipulation and strategic exploitation

Narcissism

Grandiosity

Grandiosity and need for admiration

Psychopathy

Low empathy

Low empathy, impulsivity, and callousness

Together they are called the Dark Triad. Someone may be high in one trait and not necessarily high in the others.

Is Machiavellianism a disorder?

No. It maybe considered a personality trait, not a mental disorder. However, very high levels may contribute to interpersonal problems, unethical behavior, workplace conflict, or exploitative relationships.

Signs in relationships

Potential red flags

Repeated pattern

Frequent guilt tripping or emotional leverage
Selective honesty
Playing people against each other
Keeping score of favors
Using affection, attention, or approval as a bargaining tool
Rarely accepting responsibility when caught manipulating

What research says

Studies generally find that people higher in Machiavellianism tend to:

Be effective in short term competitive situations.
Excel at reading social dynamics.
Have lower levels of empathy and trust.
Experience more unstable or conflict-prone relationships.
Be viewed as less trustworthy over time.

A simple example

Healthy negotiation: “Let’s find a solution that works for both of us.”

Machiavellian approach: “If I make them feel guilty and reveal only part of the information, I can get the outcome I want.”

The key difference

Intent matters

The key difference is not simply being strategic. Strategic thinking is normal and often healthy. Machiavellianism involves using strategy, manipulation, and emotional leverage primarily for personal advantage, often with little concern for the other person’s wellbeing.

Shervan K Shahhian

Psychological Domination refers to the use of psychological tactics to,…

Psychological domination refers to the use of psychological tactics to gain, maintain, or exert power and control over another person’s thoughts, emotions, decisions, or behavior. It may occur in many different contexts, and whether it is healthy or harmful depends on the nature of the relationship and whether it is consensual.

There maybe two broad forms:

1. Harmful Psychological Domination (Coercive Control)

This is the form most commonly discussed in psychology and mental health. It involves manipulating or controlling another person against their will.

Common tactics include:

Coercive manipulation: (using fear, guilt, or obligation)
Gaslighting: (making someone question their memory or perception of reality)
Isolation: from family and friends
Emotional blackmail
Intimidation and threats
Excessive criticism or humiliation
Love bombing: followed by withdrawal of affection
Monitoring and surveillance
Controlling finances, communication, or daily activities
Creating dependency: so the person feels unable to leave

The goal may be to reduce the person’s independence and increase the dominator’s power.

Possible effects on the victim include:

Anxiety
Depression
Low self-esteem
Self-doubt
Learned helplessness
Confusion
Trauma symptoms
Difficulty trusting others

2. Consensual Psychological Domination

In some adult relationships, psychological dominance is part of a mutually agreed upon dynamic, such as in certain forms of power exchange. In these cases:

Both individuals freely consent.
Clear boundaries are established.
Either person can withdraw consent.
Mutual respect and communication are essential.

This differs fundamentally from abusive psychological domination because it is voluntary and negotiated.

How Psychological Domination Works

People seeking psychological dominance may often exploit normal human needs, such as the need for:

Love and acceptance
Security
Belonging
Approval
Predictability
Identity

Over time, they may condition another person to seek their approval while becoming increasingly fearful of disagreement or independence.

Warning Signs

Someone may be attempting psychological domination if they:

Need to control every decision.
Punish disagreement.
Constantly tell you what you should think or feel.
Rewrite events to make you doubt yourself.
Encourage dependence while discouraging independence.
Use guilt or shame to influence your choices.
Alternate kindness with cruelty to keep you emotionally off balance.

Psychological Concepts Related to Psychological Domination

Several concepts overlap with psychological domination:

Coercive control
Gaslighting
Trauma bonding
Learned helplessness
Psychological manipulation
Narcissistic abuse

In Clinical Psychology

Mental health professionals may view harmful psychological domination as a pattern of coercive control rather than a single behavior. It is recognized as a significant form of emotional and psychological abuse and is associated with increased risk of anxiety disorders, depression, and post-traumatic stress symptoms.

In short, psychological domination is the systematic use of psychological influence to establish power over another person. When it is non-consensual, it is generally considered a form of emotional or psychological abuse. When it is fully informed, voluntary, and consensual between adults, it refers to a very different type of interpersonal dynamic.

Shervan K Shahhian

Parapsychology: Living Person Apparitions:

Living Person Apparitions are reports in which someone sees, hears, or senses a person who is actually alive but physically absent at the time of the experience (apparition).

These experiences have been studied in parapsychology and psychical research for over a century. They are sometimes called veridical apparitions of the living or living agent apparitions.

Common Features

The experiencer perceives a recognizable person.
The person is alive at the time of the apparition.
The apparition may appear visually, be heard speaking, or be sensed as a presence.
The experience may occur during an emotionally significant event involving the distant person.

Types of Living-Person Apparitions

1. Crisis Apparitions

The most frequently reported type.

A person appears to a friend or relative at the moment they are:

Seriously injured
Experiencing a medical emergency: Consult with a Medical Doctor, ASAP.
In extreme danger; Call 911.
Believing they may die

The apparition is later found to have coincided with the crisis.

2. Experimental Apparitions

In some psychical research experiments, a “sender” attempts to mentally project an image or presence to a distant “receiver.” Results have been mixed and remain controversial.

3. Spontaneous Apparitions

A person unexpectedly perceives someone who is alive and elsewhere, without any known crisis occurring.

Psychological Explanations

Controversial psychology may interprets these experiences as:

Misperceptions
Vivid mental imagery
Hypnagogic or hypnopompic experiences (between sleeping and waking)
Memory reconstruction
Expectation or emotional longing

Parapsychological Interpretations

Some researchers have proposed that living person apparitions may involve:

Telepathy
Psi mediated communication
An unconscious projection of information during emotional crises
A temporary manifestation of consciousness at a distance

Historical Research

Researchers associated with the Society for Psychical Research collected thousands of reports of apparitions, including many involving living persons. Classic investigators documented numerous cases in the landmark work Phantasms of the Living.

Current View

There is scientific some consensus that living person apparitions represent an actual paranormal phenomenon. However, they remain of interest to psychologists, consciousness researchers, and parapsychologists because some cases appear difficult to explain through ordinary coincidence or known psychological processes alone.

In short, a living person apparition is an experience in which a person perceives someone who is alive but not physically present, with explanations ranging from normal psychological processes to theories of telepathy or other psi related mechanisms.

Shervan K Shahhian

The Super Psi Hypothesis is a theory in Parapsychology:

The Super Psi Hypothesis is a theory in parapsychology that attempts to explain phenomena that appear to involve communication with the dead without assuming that consciousness survives bodily death.

According to the hypothesis, a living person’s unconscious mind may possess extraordinarily powerful psi abilities, including:

Telepathy: (accessing other people’s thoughts)

Clairvoyance: (accessing distant or hidden information)

Precognition: (accessing future information)

Psychokinesis (PK): (influencing physical events)

The idea is that these abilities may operate on a vast, unconscious scale, creating experiences that seem to come from deceased individuals.

Why Was It Proposed?

Researchers studying mediumship, apparitions, and other survival related phenomena noticed that some cases may be interpreted in two ways:

Survival Hypothesis:

The deceased person’s consciousness continues after death and communicates with the living.

Super Psi Hypothesis:

The living person’s unconscious psi abilities gather information may come from many sources and create the appearance of communication with the dead.

Example

Suppose a medium provides accurate information about a deceased person.

Survival interpretation: The medium is communicating with the deceased.

Super Psi interpretation: The medium unconsciously may obtain the information through telepathy from living relatives, clairvoyance, or other psi processes.

Strengths of the Super Psi Hypothesis

Does not require survival of consciousness after death.

Provides a theoretical explanation for some mediumship and after death communication reports.

Fits within a broader psi framework already accepted by some parapsychologists.

Criticisms

Critics argue that Super Psi may become difficult to test because it may invoke virtually unlimited psi abilities to explain any anomaly. Some researchers believe certain cases contain information that appears difficult to obtain solely from living minds.

Current Status

The Super Psi Hypothesis remains a theoretical concept within parapsychology. Neither Super Psi nor the Survival Hypothesis has achieved acceptance within controversial psychology or neuroscience because they have been demonstrated under conditions that satisfy the broader parapsychology community.

In some groups of parapsychologist, the debate often centers on whether anomalous experiences are better explained by:

Survival of consciousness after death,

Extraordinary psi abilities of living individuals (Super Psi),

Psychological and cognitive factors,

Or some combination of these possibilities.

For researchers interested in postmortem survival, Super Psi is may be considered the strongest alternative explanation to the Survival Hypothesis.

Shervan K Shahhian