In general, staged manipulations are _____ than straightforward manipulations.

A) less costly
B) more costly
C) weaker
D) stronger

Staged manipulations are more costly than straightforward manipulations because they require additional planning, time, and resources to execute successfully. Staged manipulations involve multiple steps or phases, which can increase the complexity and cost of the manipulation compared to a straightforward manipulation that can be done in one step. Additionally, staged manipulations may require more participants or equipment, resulting in higher costs.