Coercive Control Tactic

A Coercive Control Tactic is an interpersonal control tactic that is both an interpersonal exploitation pattern and a psychological manipulation mechanism establishing dominance patterns through systematic intimidation, isolation strategy, and autonomy restriction.

• AKA: Intimate Terrorism Tactic, Controlling Behavior Pattern, Psychological Domination Method.
• Context:
  • It can typically manifest through Financial Control Mechanisms restricting resource access.
  • It can typically employ Social Isolation Strategy to eliminate support networks.
  • It can typically utilize Surveillance Behavior to monitor victim activity.
  • It can typically implement Gaslighting Techniques to undermine reality perception.
  • It can typically enforce Arbitrary Rule Systems to create unpredictable environments.
  • ...
  • It can often escalate from Verbal Threats to physical violence.
  • It can often alternate between Punishment Cycles and reward periods.
  • It can often exploit Legal System Manipulation for continued control.
  • It can often involve Technology-Enabled Abuse through digital monitoring.
  • ...
  • It can range from being a Subtle Coercive Control Tactic to being an Overt Coercive Control Tactic, depending on its visibility level.
  • It can range from being an Economic Coercive Control Tactic to being a Physical Coercive Control Tactic, depending on its primary control domain.
  • It can range from being an Intermittent Coercive Control Tactic to being a Constant Coercive Control Tactic, depending on its temporal persistence pattern.
  • It can range from being a Single-Domain Coercive Control Tactic to being a Multi-Domain Coercive Control Tactic, depending on its life area coverage.
  • ...
  • It can produce Learned Helplessness in abuse victims.
  • It can create Trauma Bonds through intermittent reinforcement.
  • It can generate Hypervigilance States in survivors.
  • It can establish Dependency Dynamics via resource deprivation.
  • It can induce Identity Erosion through constant criticism.
  • ...
• Example(s):
  • Intimate Partner Coercive Control Tactics, such as:
    • Spousal Coercive Control Tactic in marriage relationships.
    • Dating Coercive Control Tactic in romantic partnerships.
    • Post-Separation Coercive Control Tactic after relationship ending.
  • Institutional Coercive Control Tactics, such as:
    • Cult Coercive Control Tactic in religious organizations.
    • Trafficking Coercive Control Tactic in exploitation networks.
    • Workplace Coercive Control Tactic in employment settings.
  • Familial Coercive Control Tactics, such as:
    • Parental Coercive Control Tactic over adult children.
    • Elder Coercive Control Tactic against aging parents.
    • Sibling Coercive Control Tactic in family dynamics.
  • ...
• Counter-Example(s):
  • Healthy Boundary Setting, which establishes mutual respect without control intent.
  • Protective Supervision, which ensures safety measures without autonomy violation.
  • Conflict Resolution Strategy, which addresses disagreements without domination pattern.
  • Assertive Communication, which expresses personal needs without manipulation tactic.
• See: Interpersonal Exploitation Pattern, Psychological Manipulation Mechanism, Pathological Relationship Dynamic, Domestic Violence, Power and Control Wheel, Psychological Abuse, Trauma Bonding, Gaslighting, Financial Abuse, Social Isolation, Stalking Behavior, Intimate Partner Violence, Stockholm Syndrome.

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