# 53. Social manipulation ## 53.5. Methodology/Refinements/Sub-species ### 53.5.15. Trait ascription bias This is the tendency for people to view themselves as relatively variable in terms of personality, behaviour and mood whilst viewing others as being much more predictable. Manipulators may use this bias to persuade a victim to act outside "the norm", in order to carry out some agenda of the manipulator. The victim is gratified because they see themselves as being more "wild" or more "flexible" than the general population.