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A 7-Day Guide to the Mind Games That Actually Work

You feel like you're being manipulated in your work, relationships, and online. This 7-day journey is your defense against the dark arts of psychology. We'll explore the tactics of manipulation, influence, and persuasion so you can spot them, defend against them, and understand the game.

1
DailyShelf Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion cover

Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion

by Robert Cialdini

Our journey begins with the foundational science. This book is the essential starting point, revealing the six 'light side' principles of persuasion. You must understand these before you can recognize how they are twisted into 'dark' tactics.

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2
DailyShelf The 48 Laws of Power cover

The 48 Laws of Power

by Robert Greene

After learning the basic principles yesterday, this book shows you the advanced, amoral application. It's a historical deep dive into the strategic and often ruthless tactics of power. This is the core textbook of 'dark psychology' in action.

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3
DailyShelf The Art of Seduction cover

The Art of Seduction

by Robert Greene

With the power tactics from yesterday, we now explore the emotional side of manipulation. This book is a masterclass in the psychology of desire and charm. It reveals how seducers create fascination and emotional dependency.

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4
DailyShelf Predictably Irrational cover

Predictably Irrational

by Dan Ariely

Now that you understand the grand strategies, this book reveals the specific glitches in the human brain that manipulators exploit. It's a guide to the cognitive biases that make people vulnerable to mind games, especially around value and decision-making.

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5
DailyShelf Mistakes Were Made (But Not by Me): Why We Justify Foolish Beliefs, Bad Decisions, and Hurtful Acts cover

Mistakes Were Made (But Not by Me): Why We Justify Foolish Beliefs, Bad Decisions, and Hurtful Acts

by Carol Tavris and Elliot Aronson

Building on the biases from yesterday, this book explores the most powerful one: self-justification. It explains how people lie to themselves to protect their ego, a key psychological lever for any manipulator to pull. Understanding this helps you see through delusions.

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6
DailyShelf The Laws of Human Nature cover

The Laws of Human Nature

by Robert Greene

After learning specific tactics, this book gives you the complete diagnostic toolkit. It's a comprehensive guide to reading people's character, hidden motives, and toxic patterns. This is your ultimate defense—seeing the manipulation before it starts.

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7
DailyShelf The Scout Mindset: Why Some People See Things Clearly and Others Don't cover

The Scout Mindset: Why Some People See Things Clearly and Others Don't

by Julia Galef

For our finale, the ethical antidote. After a week of learning dark psychology, this book teaches you how to use this knowledge for good. Adopting a 'scout mindset' is about using your new understanding to seek truth, not to manipulate it. It's the only way to win the game without losing yourself.

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