Behaviours That Identify A Narcissist Knows Exactly What They Are Doing

The word “Narcissist” is thrown around loosely these days, but true narcissistic behaviour goes beyond just being egotistical or vain. It is a personality disorder that causes someone to have an inflated sense of their own importance, a deep need for admiration, and a lack of empathy for others.

Narcissists often manipulate those around them for their own benefit, and they will go to great lengths to maintain their sense of power and control.

In this article, we will explore some of the behaviours that identify a narcissist who knows exactly what they are doing, and how to recognise these behaviours in order to protect yourself from potential manipulation and abuse.

Changing Values and Beliefs to Suit the Audience

Narcissists are skilled chameleons who are able to adapt to their surroundings and mould themselves into whatever they think others want them to be.

They may pretend to share similar values and beliefs as those around them in order to gain trust and manipulate situations to their advantage.

For example, a narcissist may claim to be a devout Christian when speaking to a religious person but then turn around and display opposite values when dealing with someone who is not religious.

This ability to shift their personality and beliefs depending on who they are interacting with is a key sign that a narcissist is aware of their manipulative nature and is using it to their advantage.

Using Your Fears Against You

Narcissists are masters at identifying and exploiting people’s weaknesses and fears.

They will use your insecurities to control you and keep you dependent on them for validation and approval.

For example, a narcissist may constantly criticise your appearance in order to make you doubt yourself and rely on them for self-esteem.

They may also use your fears of abandonment or rejection to manipulate you into doing things that you are not comfortable with.

By exploiting your weaknesses and fears, a narcissist is able to erode your sense of self and keep you under their control.

Use Obligation, Guilt, and Your Desires Against You

Narcissists often use manipulative tactics such as obligation, guilt, and your desires to get what they want.

They may make you feel like you owe them something, even if they have not done anything to deserve it.

They might use guilt to manipulate you into doing things that benefit them, even if it goes against your own best interests.

A narcissist may also play on your desires and use them to manipulate you into doing what they want.

For example, they may promise you the world in order to get what they want from you, only to withdraw their affection once they have achieved their goal.

These manipulative tactics are designed to keep you under their control and make it difficult for you to assert your own needs and boundaries.

Selective Empathy, Depending on Who’s Around

Narcissists often display selective empathy, feeling empathetic towards those who can benefit them in some way and lacking empathy toward those who do not serve their agenda.

They may put on a charming and compassionate facade when it suits them, but then show a lack of concern or remorse when dealing with others.

For example, a narcissist may feign concern for a friend who is going through a difficult time in order to gain their trust, but then turn around and exploit that friend for their own benefit.

This selective empathy is a way for narcissists to manipulate those around them and keep them under their control.

Gaslighting and Mind Games

Gaslighting is a common manipulation tactic used by narcissists to make their victims doubt their own reality and sanity.

They may distort the truth, deny previous conversations, and even make you believe that you are the one who is crazy or unstable.

Mind games are another way that narcissists manipulate those around them.

They may push your buttons, draw you into arguments, and play mind games in order to keep you off-balance and under their control.

These tactics are designed to keep you dependent on the narcissist and make it difficult for you to assert your own truth and reality.

A Quiet Smugness

One of the most telling signs that a narcissist knows exactly what they are doing is a quiet smugness that they have when they believe they have successfully manipulated someone.

They may wear a smirk or have a knowing glint in their eye when they have gotten their way as if to say, “I told you so”.

This smugness is a sign that the narcissist is aware of their manipulative tactics and enjoys the sense of power and control that comes with being able to get what they want.

In conclusion, narcissists who know exactly what they are doing are skilled manipulators who will use whatever means necessary to get what they want.

They may change their values and beliefs to suit the audience, use your fears against you, exploit obligation, guilt, and your desires, display selective empathy, use gaslighting and mind games, and show a quiet smugness when they have successfully manipulated someone.

It is important to recognise these behaviours and protect yourself from potential abuse by setting healthy boundaries and asserting your own truth and reality.

Remember, you deserve to be treated with respect and dignity, and it is essential to remove yourself from toxic relationships that are characterised by manipulation and control.

By educating yourself on the behaviours of narcissists and how to protect yourself from their manipulation, you can empower yourself to live a life free from toxicity and abuse.

Remember, you are worthy of love and respect and you have the power to create a life that is fulfilling and authentic.

Behaviours That Identify A Narcissist Knows Exactly What They’re Doing.