The criticism is not for negative behaviors but rather to discourage positive outlets the victim may have to express themselves. Any attempts to join a social club, team, or organization will be discouraged, undermined, or sabotaged by the manipulator. Any attempts to be creative artistically, musically, or otherwise will be criticized and the victim's work belittled. The goal is to crush the victim's self-esteem and isolate the person from anything which might garnish him or her praise or attention from others.