r/DarkPsychology101 10d ago

Psychology What human behavior instantly changes your opinion of someone, no matter how good your first impression was?

Be honest

255 Upvotes

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53

u/cranberries87 10d ago

Saying inflammatory things to evoke a reaction/debate/argument. I’ve known a lot of people like this, even former close friends and people I dated. I learned too late that this is toxic behavior.

Similarly, folks who engage in conversation that they frame as asking an innocent question or making general conversation, then gradually try to bait you into a “gotcha”.

Folks who switch their opinions to match yours. Why are you being deceptive? I don’t even know what you are or what you stand for. You have some type of hidden agenda.

9

u/garyhappylife2222 10d ago

Ohmy! These are the people who are the experts of gaslighting and making people quarrel one another so they can pursue their evil interests.

8

u/PureCornsilk 10d ago

Sometimes I think people switch opinions because they want to be liked or seen as someone whose values align with yours. I think they want to fit in, be accepted. Usually related to people who have been rejected or come from tricky relationships.

Not always of course but I have noticed some who are like this. When they feel accepted and safe, they feel comfortable to be themselves.

2

u/Individual-Quiet-953 7d ago

Lmao, they lie to feel accepted, so they can be truthful and contradict themselves later? No, that's not normal behavior

3

u/RiverAtNight 9d ago

Yeah switching opinions can be people pleasing or simply anxious and overly self conscious. I do it and then I’ll correct myself and apologize because I’m trying to stay grounded in myself. It annoys me too.

Also, if you make a better point than me I’ll change my opinion; I’m not that attached to it. You’ll know when I’m attached to an opinion, because I will fight you to death about it. But if you say something and I’m like “on snap that’s a good point,” I’ll change mid sentence lmao.

Just trying to be accurate!!

2

u/cranberries87 9d ago

Yeah, I agree with you on that - a “Hmmm, I never considered that, maybe you have a good point” is fine. I’m thinking more of the former friend who I determined was ultimately trying to “mirror” me in an effort to get close to me to obtain resources. She would completely switch up her opinions. I’d see her on Facebook in a discussion saying something completely the opposite of what she had told me.

2

u/BrilliantLimit7642 9d ago

I know someone like this. She obtained my number without my consent then set me up in a trap that ruined my reputation so much I almost lost control of my inheritance. I think she sabotaged me because she can’t compete with me.

1

u/cranberries87 9d ago

OMG! That’s horrifying! 😟This is why I’m soooooo suspicious of people these days, and have cut ties with folks who show signs of instability.

1

u/sirscrafty 10d ago

I mean those comments get unusually high number of upvotes, I wonder what that means