Psychology Facts

▲ Reverse Pyschology ▲

》 Reverse psychology is a technique involving the assertion of a belief or behavior that is opposite to the one desired, with the expectation that this approach will encourage the subject of the persuasion to do what actually is desired.

》 reverse psychology techniques are sometimes referred to as "paradoxical", because they involve prompting people to do one thing while hoping that they will do the opposite.

》 Signs that someone might be engaging in reverse psychology include the following:

A person might make overly negative comments that seem to be designed to garner a reaction.

You feel like someone wants you to do something but they won't make a direct request.

They keep harping on the same idea to the point that you find yourself wanting to do the opposite.

They have more to gain if you do the opposite of what they are suggesting.

The choice they are arguing in favor of isn't consistent with their past choices.

One sign that someone might be using reverse psychology is that they suddenly begin advocating against a behavior that they would normally prefer.

》 There are a number of common examples that can demonstrate how reverse psychology is used in real life:

Marketing and sales strategies often utilize reverse psychology to encourage people to buy goods and services -

For example, a salesperson might make a very high sales pitch and pressure the customer to buy something. However, what the salesperson is really trying to do is to get the customer to respond by offering to take a much less costly deal.

》Parents often use reverse psychology to get their kids to do what they want them to do:

For example, a parent might tell their child not to pick up their toys in their room in the hope that the child will actually do the opposite.

》In relationships, people also use reverse psychology to get their partner to behave in particular ways - For example, one partner might suggest that they wish their partner would clean up the garage but that they know they probably won't have time to do it. The partner might then react by cleaning the garage to prove their partner wrong.

》Research suggests that reverse psychology is a tactic commonly used in the real world—and it can often be quite effective.

》 Reverse psychology can also be a poor choice when you are dealing with someone who has low self-esteem. Because these individuals often don't trust their own judgment, they are more likely to give your opinions greater weight.

》 There are two main dangers that are associated with using reverse psychology:

If the person notices the attempted manipulation, this can damage your relationship.

The reverse psychology can backfire, and cause the target to pursue the directly suggested course of action instead of the intended opposite.

》 If you are thinking about using reverse psychology, there are some things to consider.

Only use this tactic sparingly.

Don't use reverse psychology to manipulate people.

Know when to use it best, usually with someone who tends to be argumentative or contrarian.

Remind the other person that they have a choice.

Don't argue too hard for the thing you don't actually want.

Be willing to suffer the consequences if the other person makes what you think is the wrong choice.

Consider other more honest options that can lead to better communication.