Manipulativeness and dialogue

The notion of manipulativeness is sometimes invoked both with regard to patients or clients and with regard to the professionals who are charged with caring for them. The paper explores that notion and the idea that what makes an action manipulative is not the end at which it is directed but the way in which that end is sought. Open dialogue is characterized and it is suggested that manipulative interactions are ones that depart from open dialogue. Manipulative persons are characterized as having or being biased towards a restricted social repertoire. While some manipulativeness is inevitable, it is suggested that we need to reflect from time to time on whether we have got the balance right.