8 types of people narcissists have an easy time manipulating, says psychology

Narcissists thrive on control, and they’re especially skilled at manipulating certain types of people.

As a mindfulness enthusiast and founder of Hack Spirit, I’ve spent a lot of time studying these patterns in human behavior, particularly as they relate to narcissism.

Manipulation by a narcissist isn’t about persuasion or influence, where the other person has a choice.

Instead, it’s about bending others to their will, often without the other person even realizing what’s happening.

Despite the heavy topic, I promise to keep things straightforward and easy to understand.

Let’s jump right into it.

1) People with low self-esteem

Now, let’s talk about the first type of person that narcissists often prey upon: individuals with low self-esteem.

It’s an unfortunate truth, but those who struggle with their self-worth are prime targets for narcissists. Why?

Because these individuals are more likely to question their own perceptions and realities, making it easier for a narcissist to manipulate them.

Narcissists are experts at exploiting this vulnerability, often boosting these individuals up initially only to tear them down later.

This cycle of idealization and devaluation can be incredibly confusing and damaging, leaving the victim questioning their worth and reality.

But here’s the thing, your self-worth is not determined by anyone else but you. And once you do? A narcissist’s games lose their power.

2) Empathetic people

The second group that narcissists often target are empathetic individuals.

As someone with a deep passion for mindfulness and human connection, I’ve experienced this first-hand.

A few years ago, I found myself in a friendship with someone who I later realized was a narcissist.

Being the empathetic person that I am, I was always there for them, always ready to lend an ear or offer advice.

But over time, I noticed a pattern: it was always about them. They never showed any interest in my life or my feelings.

This is a common tactic used by narcissists.

They exploit empathetic people’s natural propensity to care and give in order to feed their own needs and ego.

The narcissist takes and takes, draining the empath of their emotional energy while giving nothing in return.

3) People-pleasers

The third group of people that narcissists find easy to manipulate are those who have a strong desire to please others.

Often, these individuals will go to great lengths to avoid conflict and keep everyone around them happy.

In doing so, they may suppress their own needs and desires, creating an environment ripe for manipulation by a narcissist.

The narcissist can easily take advantage of their eagerness to please, using it to maintain control and dominance in the relationship.

In my book, “Hidden Secrets of Buddhism: How To Live With Maximum Impact and Minimum Ego”, I delve into how we can better understand our ego and how it interacts with others.

This includes exploring relationships with narcissists and the mechanisms they use to manipulate those around them.

4) Highly agreeable individuals

The fourth type of person that narcissists tend to manipulate with ease are those who are highly agreeable.

These individuals often value harmony over conflict and have a natural tendency to avoid disputes whenever possible.

While being agreeable is generally considered a positive trait, it can lead to certain vulnerabilities.

Highly agreeable people may struggle with setting boundaries, which narcissists can exploit for their own gain.

Psychologically speaking, agreeableness is one of the five personality traits in the Big Five model of personality.

People high in agreeableness are typically cooperative, compassionate and value getting along with others.

However, these qualities can also make them susceptible to manipulation.

5) Confident individuals

Now, here’s a twist that might surprise you.

Narcissists also have an easy time manipulating confident individuals.

While it may seem counter-intuitive, it actually makes a lot of sense when you think about it.

Confident people are often successful, visible, and influential. They’re attractive to narcissists who crave status and control.

The narcissist can use the confident person’s success to boost their own image, while subtly manipulating them to serve their own needs.

However, confident individuals are usually not as easy a target as the others on this list. They are often aware of their worth and less likely to fall for manipulation tactics.

Even so, narcissists are cunning and can play on their target’s confidence, making them believe they are entering into a partnership of equals, while actually setting the stage for control and manipulation.

6) Those craving validation

Narcissists are adept at identifying and exploiting those who are desperately seeking validation.

Individuals who constantly seek approval or affirmation from others often fall prey to narcissistic manipulation.

The narcissist initially provides the validation these individuals crave, making them feel special and valued.

However, this is usually just a ploy to gain their trust and loyalty.

Once the narcissist has their hooks in, they often withhold validation and use it as a tool for manipulation.

These people must understand that seeking validation from external sources, especially from a manipulative person, is a precarious position to be in.

It’s essential to cultivate self-validation and recognize your worth independently of anyone else’s opinion.

7) Overly trusting individuals

Years ago, there was a person in my life who seemed incredibly charming and trustworthy.

However, over time, it became clear that this person was using my trust to their advantage, subtly manipulating me for their own gain.

This is a common experience for overly trusting individuals.

They believe in the inherent goodness of people and are less likely to question others’ motives.

However, this tendency can make them an easy target for narcissists.

Narcissists often come across as charming and charismatic at first. They use this charm to gain the trust of others and then manipulate them to serve their own needs.

It’s important to understand that trust is valuable and should be given to those who prove themselves worthy over time.

As psychologist Dr. Joyce Brothers wisely said, “Trust your hunches. They’re usually based on facts filed away just below the conscious level.”

8) Optimistic individuals

Optimistic people are another group that narcissists often find easy to manipulate.

These are the people who always look for the best in others and believe that everyone has some good in them.

While optimism is a wonderful trait to have, it can sometimes blind people to the harsh realities of certain individuals, particularly narcissists.

Narcissists can use an optimist’s positive outlook against them, downplaying their harmful behavior as mere mistakes or rare occurrences.

Optimistic individuals need to strike a balance between their positive outlook and the reality of the person they’re dealing with.

It’s crucial to remain hopeful but also critical when dealing with potential manipulators.

Awareness is key

It’s crucial to remember that while certain personality types might be more susceptible to manipulation by narcissists, it doesn’t mean they’re at fault or deserving of such treatment.

It’s about power dynamics and exploitation, which narcissists expertly navigate for their own gain.

The best defense against this kind of manipulation is awareness – of self, of others, and of the tactics manipulators use.

In my book “Hidden Secrets of Buddhism: How To Live With Maximum Impact and Minimum Ego”, I delve into the concept of ego and how understanding it can help us better navigate relationships and protect ourselves from manipulation.

Knowledge is power.

By understanding the types of people narcissists tend to target, we can better protect ourselves and our loved ones from falling into their manipulative traps.