Remember pickup artists? In case you weren’t around for this very weird time in American culture, there was a period of a few years where men genuinely thought that wearing a big hat and a feather boa would get them laid.
In some cases, I’m sure it did. In most cases, however, women were left wondering why some dude in assless chaps was hanging around their local bar. But no matter if it worked or not, the thinking behind these strategies was simple: Pickup artists understand the dark psychology that undergirds every social interaction — and if they played their cards right, they could use that knowledge to bang.
While pickup artists have largely either disappeared, resigned themselves to inceldom, or turned Catholic for some reason, the idea of a “dark psychology” has lingered. Now, it’s found its way to TikTok — and it’s just as cringey as you thought.
The TikTok conception of “dark psychology” is varied. In some cases, it seems to be advice for boosting one’s confidence and presence. For example, a tip in the video above is, “Take up more space where you’re sitting and relax your body so you don’t seem nervous.” Why am I using three seats on the bus, you ask? Dark psychology, of course!
Another video, most likely posted by a man, purports to share “10 secrets” that “women don’t want you to know.” The video contains 15 secrets (I assume this is not a typo and is instead just another facet of dark psychology).
The merits of the “psychology” in this video is, again, dubious. Do women want a “good man capable of violence”? Can women “sense a pervert who watches porn”? And what exactly does Wednesday Addams have to do with any of this?
There’s also some things that are certainly dark, but I’m not sure you’ll learn them in any Psych 101 class. There are lessons on how to gaslight people, ways to “hide your manipulation skills,” and more, all set to the most vertigo-inducing anime clip compilations possible.
A few issues here: First, everything just stinks of that “edgy” kid in high school. Second, these tricks might, *maybe*, work — I wouldn’t know, I’m not a dark psychologist — but one actually has to talk to people to employ them. Let’s be honest, if you’re watching “dark psychology” videos on TikTok, you’re not likely to be a social butterfly.
As a result, we probably don’t need to worry about Gen Zers trying any dark psychology magic on us anytime soon. But if you’re a “pervert who watches porn,” watch out — apparently, all women can smell it on you.
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