Manipulation of Romantic Partner's Behavior: Verification of Psychometric Characteristics of Instruments

Abstract

According to evolution psychology manipulation includes manners in which people are trying to influence other people's behaviour (Buss, 1987). This influence includes specific reason, purpose or aim, depending on which tactics are being used. Type of relation influences the type of tactic that is considered to be the most appropriate one, while romantic relations offer a remarkable source of information about aspects of manipulative behaviour. The aim of this research was to determine psychometric characteristics (validity, reliability) of translated versions of Tactics of Manipulation (Buss, 1992) and Emotional Manipulation Scale (Austin, Farrelly, Black, & Moore, 2007). Research comprehended tri studies (N1 = 315, N2 = 281, N3 = 168) conducted on adult individuals in romantic relationship. Psychometric verification of translated and modified versions of Tactics of Manipulation (Buss, 1992) and Emotional Manipulation Scale (Austin et al., 2007) revealed that both instruments show three-dimensional latent structure and satisfying internal consistency reliability. According to results, emotional manipulation was in positive, although low, correlation with tactics of manipulation. In other words, a higher tendency to emotional manipulation at the same time means a tendency to use tactics of manipulation. Emotional intelligence wasn't correlated with emotional manipulation, nor with tactics of manipulation.