Unedited 1/2/09
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Constructive Provocation: To emotionally manipulate a person in such a way that they respond unreasonably. Or, said another way: To put a person, business or society under pressure in such a way that they make a tactical or strategic error in their response to elude the pressure. Think of the tactical chess game going on as the fox chases the rabbit pressuring the rabbit to make a mistake. Predatory business people and even predatory clients all operate off of what appears to be wired in scripts that are alterable as the prey learns new techniques. Constructive provocation is a constant in large and small businesses and can only be diminished by the evolution of codes and laws.

Types of constructive provocation

• Tooth and Claw Darwinian approach. Here there is little feeling, compassion or sensitivity towards the client. It is all about the money and has little to do with civility. Large companies behave in such a way as their business strategy is "playing the numbers." Provoking their clients to rage only aids them in their attempts to look innocent in the eyes of a court if any malfeasance is evident. This strategy could be described as "framing ones behavior as good, while framing the behavior of the client as bad" for the purposes of promoting ones image in the community as a fair and decent business person. Staying under the radar of social reproach.
• Enlightened Darwinian approach. Here there are rules of engagement that to some extent takes into consideration the needs and sensitivities of the client.
• Liberal, Socially Responsible Approach. Most all business conducted by the liberal socially responsible business person is straight forward, honest and direct with no use of emotional manipulations to churn up extra work or profits.
  
  Businesses that are engaged in illegal or unethical practices often try to bolster their image in the community by driving their customers to a rage when they complain about being taken advantage. An emotional outburst on the part of the customer looks bad in the eyes of the court and favors the business person. This is a very effective technique to "frame" a customer as wrong, unintelligent or crazy.
  

Note:

• Eristic
• Playing the Numbers
• Criminal Enterprise