What is the term for an indirect and dishonest method to influence others?

Manipulation refers to the act of influencing someone in a clever, indirect, and often dishonest way to achieve a particular outcome or control their behavior. It involves tactics that may involve deceit or coercion, with the manipulator typically not disclosing their true intentions. This term captures the essence of using subtlety and psychological strategies to sway individuals in a manner that may not be apparent to them, therefore fostering trust while ultimately undermining the autonomy of the individual being influenced.

Direct pressure involves openly urging someone to act a certain way, which is markedly more straightforward than manipulation. Peer pressure represents the social influence exerted by friends or peers, encouraging individuals to conform to group norms. Harassment, on the other hand, entails aggressive pressure or intimidation, which is clearly distinct from the subtler tactics characteristic of manipulation. Thus, manipulation encompasses the indirect and often duplicitous methods that define the dynamics of influence in various situations, making it the accurate term in this context.