The Architecture of Manipulation: Power, Control, and Survival in Cluster B Personality Disorders Dissecting the Relational Dynamics of Narcissistic, Borderline, Histrionic, and Antisocial Personality Structures

Cluster B personality disorders—narcissistic, borderline, histrionic, and antisocial—are marked by emotional dysregulation, interpersonal dysfunction, and manipulative relational patterns. This paper explores the psychological architecture underlying these disorders, emphasizing how manipulation and control emerge as core adaptive strategies rooted in neurobiological, endocrinological, and developmental vulnerabilities. Drawing from neuroscience, pharmacology, and developmental psychology, this work proposes a biopsychosocial model that integrates genetic predispositions, hormonal dysregulation, trauma histories, and environmental influences. Clinical implications include a multi-tiered treatment framework combining targeted pharmacological interventions, psychotherapeutic modalities, and systemic relational support. This interdisciplinary synthesis aims to advance our understanding of Cluster B dynamics while informing more effective therapeutic approaches.