Reverse Psychology - Human Manipulation

Often seen as a form of manipulation, everyone has likely used reverse psychology at some time in their life.

Some of these have been rewritten from past tutorials.

People have usually heard about it — “reverse psychology” — particularly once it involves negotiations or making an attempt to persuade somebody to do one thing they may be wary of. However what specifically is reverse psychology? How often is it used, and are there folks out there actively using it to urge what they want?

What is reverse psychology?

Simply put, reverse psychology is getting somebody to try and do one thing by telling them to not do it. The speculation behind such a method is that by telling somebody they shouldn’t do something or can’t have one thing, it solely makes them need it more, not only asserting your freedom, however rebelling against the sensation of being told what to do.


Know who reverse psychology works on.

Some individuals simply do not answer reverse psychology. The individuals that do are mostly those who hate being told what to try and do. They care a lot of about the power struggle itself than what the struggle is regarding. Rebellious kids are classic examples. Basically, anyone with a sensitive ego that clouds their judgment is vulnerable.

Wait until they get emotional.

It's a lot of easier to use reverse psychology once somebody is emotional, since you would like to trigger an instantaneous reaction. The more you argue back and forth, the more of a power struggle it becomes, and also the more the opposite person will want to "win".

Say the alternative of what you are arguing, however within the same tone.

Eventually, what the person is fighting about isn't the topic of the argument, however your plan to dominate them in some way. And soon, they are arguing with the method you are saying things, rather than what you are saying. For instance, you are making an attempt to induce a friend to scrub the rest room. For a short time you have been saying things like "You ought to clean the rest room because it's disgusting" and "I always find yourself having to scrub it". Then begin saying things like "Fine, stop cleaning the rest room, I do not care! i would like people to see how disgustful you keep the bathroom! I would like folks to learn what a pig and a pig you can be!" Odds are, the person can respond by saying "I'll clean the rest room whenever I want!"

‣An alternative approach is to mention "Fine, I give up. You win." Some individuals can respond by realizing that they were simply being adversarial. They did not really need to win, they needed you to stay arguing with them because they got caught up within the power struggle. After they really do win, they feel bad that they "won" over one thing that meant lots more to you than it did to them, as if they took something from you by making it so difficult.


Push it further.

Following with the rest room example, say "No! Forget it. I am getting rid of the cleaning supplies. You do not use them anyway, and I am not using them any longer either." Currently you are dominating by roping off an activity, that a rebellious, reactionary person won't appreciate.

Call their bluff.

If they begin saying they will do what you needed them to do in the first place, however on their terms, say "I do not believe you!" Add in some statements which will trigger their ego, like "You never end what you start!" or "You will not clean the bathroom as well as I do anyway."

‣Sometimes you'll be able to use this step on its own, like card-playing somebody that they will or cannot do one thing. "The reason you do not clean your room is because you are bad at it...I bet you cannot keep your room clean for a month!"

Be able to follow through.

Do not create empty threats. If you said you'd stop cleaning the rest room, stop cleaning the rest room, which the other person can see how disgusting a rest room can really get. If you do succumb and begin cleaning the rest room once more, though, the other person will feel like they won, and can still rebel with increased fervor. Thus unless you are willing to follow through, do not use reverse psychology.

This is a very informative post. I enjoyed the read. Good post money, but please make your signature in the center of your screen. Not all the way to the right. It bothers me so much xD

This is a very informative post. I enjoyed the read. Good post money, but please make your signature in the center of your screen. Not all the way to the right. It bothers me so much xD

I've gotten PM's about it. I guess I will have to switch it since it bothers everyone.

This is a very informative post. I enjoyed the read. Good post money, but please make your signature in the center of your screen. Not all the way to the right. It bothers me so much xD

I've gotten PM's about it. I guess I will have to switch it since it bothers everyone.

XDD I am sorry man if that sounded like a dick, but hey its just so eeeeeeeeeh. xD

I've gotten PM's about it. I guess I will have to switch it since it bothers everyone.

XDD I am sorry man if that sounded like a dick, but hey its just so eeeeeeeeeh. xD

It's fine haha, I was planning on getting a new signature soon anyways.

XDD I am sorry man if that sounded like a dick, but hey its just so eeeeeeeeeh. xD

It's fine haha, I was planning on getting a new signature soon anyways.

Dude the signature is fine just align it to thew center ._.

Bumping this so people that are interested can read. :)

Often seen as a form of manipulation, everyone has likely used reverse psychology at some time in their life.

Some of these have been rewritten from past tutorials.

People have usually heard about it — “reverse psychology” — particularly once it involves negotiations or making an attempt to persuade somebody to do one thing they may be wary of. However what specifically is reverse psychology? How often is it used, and are there folks out there actively using it to urge what they want?

What is reverse psychology?

Simply put, reverse psychology is getting somebody to try and do one thing by telling them to not do it. The speculation behind such a method is that by telling somebody they shouldn’t do something or can’t have one thing, it solely makes them need it more, not only asserting your freedom, however rebelling against the sensation of being told what to do.


Know who reverse psychology works on.

Some individuals simply do not answer reverse psychology. The individuals that do are mostly those who hate being told what to try and do. They care a lot of about the power struggle itself than what the struggle is regarding. Rebellious kids are classic examples. Basically, anyone with a sensitive ego that clouds their judgment is vulnerable.

Wait until they get emotional.

It's a lot of easier to use reverse psychology once somebody is emotional, since you would like to trigger an instantaneous reaction. The more you argue back and forth, the more of a power struggle it becomes, and also the more the opposite person will want to "win".

Say the alternative of what you are arguing, however within the same tone.

Eventually, what the person is fighting about isn't the topic of the argument, however your plan to dominate them in some way. And soon, they are arguing with the method you are saying things, rather than what you are saying. For instance, you are making an attempt to induce a friend to scrub the rest room. For a short time you have been saying things like "You ought to clean the rest room because it's disgusting" and "I always find yourself having to scrub it". Then begin saying things like "Fine, stop cleaning the rest room, I do not care! i would like people to see how disgustful you keep the bathroom! I would like folks to learn what a pig and a pig you can be!" Odds are, the person can respond by saying "I'll clean the rest room whenever I want!"

‣An alternative approach is to mention "Fine, I give up. You win." Some individuals can respond by realizing that they were simply being adversarial. They did not really need to win, they needed you to stay arguing with them because they got caught up within the power struggle. After they really do win, they feel bad that they "won" over one thing that meant lots more to you than it did to them, as if they took something from you by making it so difficult.


Push it further.

Following with the rest room example, say "No! Forget it. I am getting rid of the cleaning supplies. You do not use them anyway, and I am not using them any longer either." Currently you are dominating by roping off an activity, that a rebellious, reactionary person won't appreciate.

Call their bluff.

If they begin saying they will do what you needed them to do in the first place, however on their terms, say "I do not believe you!" Add in some statements which will trigger their ego, like "You never end what you start!" or "You will not clean the bathroom as well as I do anyway."

‣Sometimes you'll be able to use this step on its own, like card-playing somebody that they will or cannot do one thing. "The reason you do not clean your room is because you are bad at it...I bet you cannot keep your room clean for a month!"

Be able to follow through.

Do not create empty threats. If you said you'd stop cleaning the rest room, stop cleaning the rest room, which the other person can see how disgusting a rest room can really get. If you do succumb and begin cleaning the rest room once more, though, the other person will feel like they won, and can still rebel with increased fervor. Thus unless you are willing to follow through, do not use reverse psychology.

Reverse psychology is such an interesting thing. I love anything to do with psychology. The process of reverse psychology is so complex too. Like, you have to have the right mind-set in order to use this method effectively.