Center Off Center - Why? Sometimes the "center point" of a sphere, cube, etc. is off center from its object, even sometimes outside the object.  The manipulator stays with the center point.
Is there a way to keep this from happening?
I've seen how to cure it, but I'd like to know how/why it happens.
It's very offputting (if you'll pardon the pun). 

Is there a way to cause it in a controlled manner?
Because you are trying to move your object in Edit mode. If you want to move your WHOLE object (along with its origin point), move it in Object mode. Press TAB to quickly switch between Object mode and Edit mode.