People with strong narcissistic tendencies and other dark personality traits tend to blame others for their own bad behavior. If they are lying, then they will accuse others of lying. If they are cruel, they will say that others are cruel.
There are many reasons why this happens—blaming someone else for your problems is called narcissism, denial, and projection. It's also merely an intense form of self-absorption and selfishness. After all, it's much easier to throw your problems onto someone else rather than reflect inwards.
Here are some examples of blame-shifting phrases so you can be on the lookout for this tactic from the narcissist: “If you wouldn't have said that then I wouldn't have called you names!” “If you weren't always nagging me then I wouldn't have cheated on you!” “You always do that!”
Blame-shifting is an emotionally abusive behavior or tactic. These are some definitions or descriptions of blame-shifting: abusers have difficulty taking responsibility for problems. They go as far as necessary to attribute blame for their circumstances to anyone else, even if it may sound somewhat conspiratorial.
The reason why people usually blame others is that it's a quick escape from guilt. Blame is an incredibly easy and effortless tactic to use when we feel defensive.
People with narcissistic personality disorder are extremely resistant to changing their behavior, even when it's causing them problems. Their tendency is to turn the blame on to others.
People with strong narcissistic tendencies and other dark personality traits tend to blame others for their own bad behavior. If they are lying, then they will accuse others of lying. If they are cruel, they will say that others are cruel.
Avoid having the same argument repeatedly. If someone will not accept responsibility, change your approach, or table the issue. Continuing to push them to take responsibility or apologize will only make them more defensive. Instead, see if you can agree on solutions.
Because narcissists' inner guiding voice is so critical and harsh, narcissists try to avoid all responsibility for anything that goes wrong. In order to avoid self-hatred, they project the blame onto someone else.
If your partner is blaming you for everything, it means that they are unhappy with the relationship. Rather than talking through the problems in your marriage, they look out for a way to blame you for everything. Now is the time when you really would want to do something about it.
Silent Treatment Narcissists punish by ignoring. Then they let their victim off the hook by demanding an apology even though she isnt to blame. This is to modify her behavior. They also have a history of cutting others out of their life permanently over small things.
Victims often find themselves ruminating over the abuse and hearing the abuser's voice in their minds, amplifying their negative self-talk and tendency towards self-sabotage. Malignant narcissists program and condition their victims to self-destruct sometimes even to the point of driving them to suicide.
Emotional abuse is a form of manipulation that involves controlling another person's emotions. It can take various forms, including blaming, shaming, embarrassing, criticizing, or isolating the victim.
Manipulation tactics, such as gaslighting, lying, blaming, criticizing, and shaming, can damage a person's psychological well-being. These behaviors are common and can occur in platonic, romantic, familial, and professional relationships. Knowing how to identify them can help.
This manipulation tactic of the victim card of blaming others is a common tactic that people use to avoid taking responsibility for their actions or words. By shifting the blame to others and playing the victim, manipulators are able to maintain control over a situation.
Arguing with a narcissist can be extremely difficult — people with narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) feel very little empathy for others and are often manipulative. They may use tactics like turning the blame on you, gaslighting you, and resorting to disrespectful behavor.
ASPD causes people to act without thinking how they're affecting others. Someone with ASPD may break rules or laws. They often show no remorse and take no responsibility.
People with BPD, due to emotional instability, may be unwilling or even unable to accept responsibility for conduct inspired by their symptoms. This is often seen as manipulation, and in some cases is.
Common symptoms or sources of a lack of accountability in relationships include the “blame game,” selfish behaviors, and overall disconnection from arguments or tensions.
Which Mental Health Disorders Are Linked to Toxic Personalities? People with narcissistic, borderline and antisocial personality styles often display toxic traits, while "toxic patterns" may also be seen in those with untreated substance use problems, according to Durvasula.