This article by Timothy L. Thomas, "The Age of the New Persuaders," is from MIlitary Review, May-June 1997. It discusses manipulation, perception management, deception, and psychological operations. The following excerpt describes psychological manipulation devices:
"psychological- this device turns personality weaknesses to one's advantage, or provokes an individual to lose control. Under the influence of these conditions, the object may make mistakes which can benefit the manipulator. These methods included:-- a statement with multiple-meanings, which shows the object much is known about him, but for some special motives is not being revealed;--citing authorities whose opinions cannot serve as evidence of the subject discussed; -- providing unsuportable pledges and promises in advance'--creating an atmosphere of trust, although in reality the manipulator hardly know the object;-- pretense of unity of thinking and closeness in spiritual values and interests;--discredit the person influencing the object and interfering with the manipulator's achievement of his goal; --offering sympathy and support to the object under circumstances that eventually can be turned to the m,anipulator's advantage. One can use object's vanity and conceit to advantage. This can be done by flattery and respect, and drawing one's ally into the conversation against the object. The ally can offer mockery, insults, and disinterest to what the object says, and one then can appear to be more reasonable by disagreeing with the ally and agreeing with the object to gain trust. 17"
WHAT THEY DO & HOW WE CAN PROTECT OURSELVES: by Brian Glick author of the excellent book 'War at Home'
http://www.thirdworldtraveler.com/FBI/COINTELPRO_Revisited.html
INFILTRATION BY AGENTS OR INFORMERS
What they do: Some informers and infiltrators quietly provide information while keeping a low profile and doing whatever is expected of group members. Others attempt to discredit a target and disrupt its work. They may spread false rumors and make unfounded accusations to provoke or exacerbate tensions and splits. They may urge divisive propals, sabatage important activities and resources, or operate as "provocateurs" who lead zealous activists into unnecessary danger. In a demonstration or other confrontation with police, such an agent may break discipline and call for actions which would undermine unity and detract and detract from tactical focus...
Covert Manipulation to Make A Legitimate Activist Appear to be an Agent: An actual agent will often point the fingure at a genuine, non-collaborating and highly valued group member, claiming that he or she is the infiltraitor. The same effect, known as a "snitch jacket," has been achieved by planting forged documents which appear to be communications between an activist who were arrested together. Another method used under COINTELPRO was to arrange for some activists, areested under one pretext or another, to hear over the police radio a phony broadcast which appeared to set up a secret meeting between the police and someone from their group.