Understanding Future Faking: The Manipulative Strategy of Narcissism
Fraudulent projections and emotional manipulation techniques have long been exploited by manipulative individuals, particularly within the context of romantic or emotional relationships. One such method is future faking, a tactic often associated with emotional or psychological manipulation. In this article, we will explore what future faking entails and its various purposes, including maintaining control, avoiding accountability, creating dependency, and manipulating emotions.
What is Future Faking?
Future faking is a deceptive tactic where a manipulator makes false promises or exaggerated statements about future plans and commitments. This behavior is often associated with individuals suffering from personality disorders, particularly narcissism. By engaging in this practice, the manipulator aims to instill a sense of hope or dependency in their partner, thereby keeping them emotionally invested and compliant.
The Purpose of Future Faking
1. Maintaining Control
Manipulators use future faking to maintain a degree of control over their partners. By promising grandiose future plans, they ensure that their partners remain emotionally invested and compliant, reinforcing their dependence on the manipulator. This control is a key aspect of maintaining the relationship.
2. Avoiding Accountability
A common tactic employed by manipulators is to deflect any criticism or concerns by promising a better future. Instead of addressing their current behavior, they postpone any need for accountability, thereby manipulating the situation to their advantage.
3. Creating Dependency
Manipulators also use future faking to create a sense of dependency in their partners. By making promises about a brighter tomorrow, they can evoke strong emotions such as excitement and hope, which can make their partners feel hopeful and reliant on the manipulator. This dependency makes it harder for the victim to leave the relationship.
4. Manipulating Emotions
False promises and grandiose plans can evoke powerful emotions that overshadow the negative aspects of the relationship. This emotional manipulation can keep the victim engaged and invested, even when faced with evidence of the manipulator's true nature.
5. Gaining Advantage
Manipulators may use future faking to gain something from their partners, such as financial support, emotional validation, or other forms of assistance. They do this without any intention of reciprocating, as they have no genuine interest in the well-being or happiness of their partners.
Recognizing Future Faking
Future faking is not limited to the initial stages of a relationship but remains a tactic employed throughout the relationship. It often manifests as false promises about grand vacations, moving in together, and marriage. These promises are made to make the victim feel desired and to keep them emotionally invested.
An important aspect to note is that manipulators are mirroring the victim's hopes, wants, and desires to keep them hanging on longer. This mirroring is a deceptive tactic, and while it may appear as if the manipulator genuinely wants what the victim wants, it is merely a facade. The ultimate goal of a manipulator is always to maintain power and control, and not to establish an honest and true love.
Further Reading on Narcissism and Emotional Manipulation
If you are interested in learning more about narcissistic behavior and emotional manipulation, here are some related articles that might interest you:
14 Traits of the Nice Guy Narcissist. 10 Strange Traits of People Mentally Abused by Narcissists. 7 Ways Narcissists Test You. 8 Lies ALL Narcissists Tell. 7 Things That Destroy a Narcissist's Ego. What Happens When You Ignore a Narcissist. 3 Things GOD Does to a Narcissist. 10 Types of People Narcissists Respect. 9 Demeaning Things Narcissists Say. 7 Ways a Narcissist Treats You When You’re Sick. 7 Things Narcissists Do When They Lose Control Over You.