Manipulation

An attempt to influence an actor through the use of techniques of suggestion, but without the individual being made conscious of this scheming and maneuvering – a method of persuasion, usually brought to bear with the intention of misleading the subject of the manipulation into believing that the decision elicited is a product of the subject’s own rational deliberation;

in experimental science, the skilful handling or arranging of objects, circumstances, or people, etc., for a particular purpose, to test a causal hypothesis;