According to book Whole
Brain Living by Jill Bolte Taylor, our brain can be divided into
four distinct characters based on thinking and emotional functions—each playing
a crucial role in shaping our perception of reality and decision-making.
Character 1 (Left Thinking Brain): The planner, logical, structured,
and detail-oriented. It focuses on organization, problem-solving, and
strategic thinking.
Character 2 (Left Emotional Brain): The protector, deeply tied to our
emotions, past experiences, and sense of individuality. This part of the
brain triggers fight-or-flight responses when it perceives threats,
whether physical, social, or emotional. It is also responsible for ego-centric
behaviors—feeling attacked, defensive, anxious, or self-righteous.
Character 3 (Right Emotional
Brain): The free
spirit, creative, and adventurous part of us. It embraces the present
moment with joy and openness, unburdened by past experiences or future
concerns.
Character 4 (Right Thinking Brain): The wise observer, deeply
connected to the universe, holistic in perspective, and spiritual in
nature. It reminds us that we are part of a greater whole beyond our
immediate self-centred concerns.
Of these, Character
2 is the key player in ego-driven behaviour. It is deeply connected to our amygdala,
the brain’s primary fear-processing centre. The amygdala scans for threats,
whether real or perceived, and if it detects one, it overrides rational
thinking, activating a primal survival mechanism. While this function is
crucial for protecting us from physical harm, the problem arises when Character
2 overreacts to non-life-threatening situations—like an insult,
criticism, or social rejection—as if they were existential dangers.
Whenever we
feel disrespected, undervalued, or insecure, Character 2 takes control, making
our perception extremely narrow, focusing solely on the immediate
threat to our ego. In this state, the bigger picture fades, and our
brain locks onto self-preservation mode. This neurological response is the
foundation of manipulation—because once a person is locked into this
state, they become highly susceptible to external influence.
Role in
Manipulation
Now, let’s
connect this to manipulation. Manipulation works by exploiting Character 2’s
tendency to focus on immediate threats, effectively hijacking the brain’s
ability to think long-term.
1. Fear as a
Manipulative Tool
The amygdala plays a critical role
in manipulation because it prioritizes fear over rationality.
When someone feels
threatened—whether physically, financially, socially, or emotionally—their
brain’s higher reasoning centers (prefrontal cortex) become less active,
and their survival instincts take over.
Manipulators artificially create
a sense of fear or urgency to force people into reactionary decisions.
This is why political campaigns,
sales strategies, and media headlines often rely on fear-based
messaging—because it bypasses logical analysis and forces immediate
compliance.
2. Anger as
a Weapon of Manipulation
Anger is another highly
effective tool of manipulation because it narrows perception and
triggers impulsive behaviour.
When someone is made to feel
attacked, disrespected, or morally outraged, Character 2 immediately
dominates, blocking access to rational and creative thinking.
This is why propaganda, social
media conflicts, and divisive political rhetoric often rely on provoking
anger—because once people are emotionally charged, they become more easily
guided in a particular direction.
The moment a person sees an
“enemy” rather than a complex situation, they stop thinking critically
and become more susceptible to external influence.
3.
Insecurity & Scarcity
Insecurity is one of the most powerful
tools of control.
If person already has some insecurities
from their past or feels that their future, identity, or financial
stability is at risk, they enter a state of hyper-vigilance,
where Character 2 dominates.
This is why authoritarians, cult
leaders, and even corporations leverage scarcity and insecurity to increase
dependence.
When the brain is in survival
mode, it seeks security—even if that means surrendering control to
the manipulator.
4. How
Manipulation Narrows Perception
The core function of manipulation
is to trap the brain in the “here and now” survival mode, limiting
awareness of the bigger picture.
When Character 2 dominates, it blocks
access to Characters 3 and 4, which provide broader perspective and
wisdom.
The result? The manipulated person
sees only the immediate threat, not the larger reality.
This is why a calm, secure and
sorted person probably who is happy with his life with no complaints is
harder to manipulate—they can easily detach from fear and see beyond the
moment.
Possible
Long-Term Effects of Manipulation
When someone is
frequently subjected to fear-based or anger-driven manipulation, their brain
adapts to a state of constant survival mode. Over time, this has several
consequences:
Continuous Anxiety & Stress – The amygdala remains overactive,
making individuals more reactive, fearful, and dependent on external
validation.
Impact on Critical Thinking – The prefrontal cortex,
responsible for logic and rationality, weakens, leading to emotional
decision-making.
Tribalism & Divisiveness – People become easily polarized,
believing in simplistic “us vs. them” narratives, which further
reinforces manipulation.
Dependence on the Manipulator – When someone is kept in constant
fear or anger, they seek security in authority figures,
reinforcing a cycle of control.
Thus,
manipulation is not just about one-time influence—it rewires the
brain over time, making individuals permanently susceptible to
external control.