What Is Reverse Psychology: Definition, Examples, Benefits & Risks

Reverse psychology is a persuasion technique that involves encouraging people to do the opposite of what you actually want them to do. Although this is supposed to compel them to pick your preferred course of action, not all personality types respond to this tactic in the same way. If you attempt to use it on someone who’s naturally compliant, it can even backfire.

In this article, we’ll discuss what reverse psychology is, discover what it looks like in practice, explore its risks and benefits, and more.

What Is Reverse Psychology, and How Does It Work?

Also known as strategic self-anticonformity, reverse psychology is a method of persuading people to do what you want by advocating for the opposite behavior. It works based on a phenomenon known as psychological reactance. According to the reactance theory, people are motivated to reclaim their behavioral freedom when they feel that it is threatened or reduced.

In simple terms, reverse psychology works because people are naturally wired to resist control and defend their autonomy. While it may sound counterintuitive, this persuasion method can encourage others to do or say what you actually desire because most individuals feel uncomfortable and tend to push back when someone threatens their freedom of choice.

What makes reverse psychology particularly compelling is that it taps into certain emotional triggers, such as ego, pride, and competitiveness. In other words, if you tell someone they can’t or shouldn’t do something, it’ll likely urge them to prove you wrong and assert their independence.

In most cases, people aren’t aware when someone uses reverse psychology techniques on them. While this tactic is helpful in certain scenarios, it can be used as a form of psychological manipulation. Additionally, if you use it to manipulate someone and they realize it, it can backfire, causing them to become resentful.

Now that you know what reverse psychology is, let’s explore some practical examples so that you can recognize when someone’s using it on you.

Common Examples of Reverse Psychology

Below are some common examples of reverse psychology in everyday life:

#1. Reverse Psychology at Work

Reverse psychology can be applied in professional settings to boost productivity and motivation. A typical example of this would be a manager suggesting a deadline extension because a project is too challenging to complete within the original timeline.

Naturally, some employees may agree with the extension. However, those who are driven may push themselves to work harder and meet the original deadline just to prove their competence or leave the manager impressed.

#2. Reverse Psychology in Relationships

Reverse psychology is often used in both romantic and platonic relationships to get the other person to behave in a certain way.

For example, a parent could tell their child, “Don’t even try this vegetable, there’s no way you’ll like it!” to compel them to try new foods. Or, someone could tell their significant other something along the lines of, “It’s alright, we can stay in tonight. You probably wouldn’t enjoy this event anyway,” to persuade their partner into proving them wrong and going out.

#3. Reverse Psychology in Marketing

Reverse psychology is increasingly applied in marketing to create intrigue, boost demand, and increase sales. This isn’t surprising; a study by Sinha and Foscht suggests that reverse psychology tactics attract and engage customers better than traditional marketing approaches. These innovative tactics are especially effective with the younger generation.

Some examples of reverse psychology in sales and marketing include the following:

• Offering products in limited quantities to create a sense of urgency
• Emphasizing exclusivity by highlighting that the product isn’t for everyone
• Avoiding flashy advertising (e.g., running a store without outdoor signage)
• Deliberately switching from customer-centric marketing to a product-centric approach

#4. Reverse Psychology at School

At school, both students and teachers may use reverse psychology. For example, a teacher could tell students that they probably wouldn’t like or understand a particular book yet because it’s more advanced, encouraging them to read it and prove the teacher wrong.

By contrast, students may use reverse psychology to get their peers to perform a specific action. For instance, when working on a group assignment, they could tell another student, “You wouldn’t dare to present our findings in front of the class,” which can spark defiance and lead that student to speak up.

Since you now know what reverse psychology is and what it looks like in real life, let’s discuss its advantages and disadvantages.

Benefits of Reverse Psychology

Depending on how and when it’s used, reverse psychology can be both beneficial and risky. The main benefit of reverse psychology is that it can get people to make decisions that are best for them, even if they’d normally choose a different option.

For instance, if a child doesn’t want to eat vegetables or do their homework, reverse psychology can be an effective way to guide them toward these actions.

Even better, it can make them feel like they’re making their own choices instead of being forced to do something against their will. This can be especially helpful when dealing with teenagers or individuals who are generally rebellious.

Risks of Reverse Psychology

This persuasion tactic doesn’t come without risks, and the main one is loss of trust.

Using reverse psychology in relationships can have catastrophic consequences. If your friend, family member, or significant other realizes what you’re doing, they may feel manipulated, disrespected, and hurt. Ultimately, this can lead to them losing trust in you, which can be very difficult (and sometimes even impossible) to repair.

There are also certain ethical concerns you should be aware of. Depending on the circumstances, this tactic can be manipulative and indirectly interfere with people’s free will. While compelling a child to do something good for themselves is harmless, for example, constantly manipulating your partner into acting a certain way can make the relationship toxic.

When it comes to reverse psychology, your intentions also matter; there’s a difference between encouraging people to do what’s in their best interest and subtly controlling their behavior to benefit yourself.

When Reverse Psychology Doesn’t Work

Reverse psychology doesn’t work when you’re using it on highly compliant, agreeable individuals. How susceptible someone is to this tactic largely depends on their character and personality type; the more cooperative a person is, the more likely they are to agree with your suggestion rather than resist it. Direct communication usually works better with such people.

Furthermore, reverse psychology may not work if the person simply lacks motivation or interest in what you’re trying to get them to do. It may also fail if you use it on someone who looks up to you, as they may take your suggestions at face value instead of rebelling against them.

Another scenario in which reverse psychology may not work is if the other person sees through the tactic and realizes what you’re trying to achieve. If someone has used reverse psychology before or has been a target of this persuasion method, they may immediately understand what’s going on.

It also may not work or even backfire on those who have a good understanding of psychology, as such individuals are more likely to detect manipulation.

In short, who you’re using reverse psychology on usually determines whether it works or fails. Therefore, you shouldn’t use this tactic on everyone you meet; at worst, it can ruin your relationships. Most of the time, it’s best to practice open communication and encourage people to weigh their options and make decisions independently.

On this note, let’s discuss how to use reverse psychology wisely.

How to Use Reverse Psychology Wisely

To use reverse psychology wisely, follow these tips:

• Use it responsibly. You should only resort to reverse psychology tactics in situations where honest communication isn’t effective.
• Don’t push it too far. Don’t be forceful; if you have to use this method, remind the person that they can (and should) make their own choices.
• Don’t make it a habit. If you’re using reverse psychology regularly, and especially on the same people, it’s only a matter of time before they realize it.
• Pick the right person. Reverse psychology works best on argumentative, strong-willed, contrarian, and competitive individuals. It may achieve the opposite result of what you desire when used on compliant individuals.
• Check your intentions. Evaluate your true intentions before using reverse psychology. While it’s generally fine to use it as a way of encouraging positive outcomes, you should never use it for selfish purposes, such as to control other people.

Ultimately, if there’s a right way to use reverse psychology, it’s to use it sparingly and subtly on very rare, appropriate occasions.

What to Do if Someone Uses Reverse Psychology on You

If someone uses reverse psychology on you, you should pause and evaluate the situation before reacting. By taking a moment before responding, you can avoid being pressured into making a decision that you might not make otherwise.

While reverse psychology can be harmless, it can also be toxic. To identify whether it’s toxic or not, try to gauge the person’s intent. You can even question the reasoning behind their suggestion to see whether they truly believe in what they’re offering you to do.

If you believe they’re trying to manipulate you into making a decision that benefits them (or if they’re regularly using this tactic), you might want to address this issue directly with them. This can help you set healthy boundaries and make them less likely to use reverse psychology on you in the future.

In any case, trust your instincts and evaluate all your options before making a decision. You might even find that there are other, much better courses of action aside from the ones they’re suggesting or trying to get you to take.

Reverse Psychology and Personality Types

Not every personality type responds to reverse psychology in the same manner; some individuals are more influenced by it than others due to their unique personality traits. For this reason, personality frameworks, such as the Enneagram test, can provide deeper insight into how you or someone you know may respond to this persuasion technique.

Generally speaking, high-reactance personalities are more susceptible to reverse psychology than low-reactance ones. In other words, cooperative, agreeable, and rule-oriented individuals are more likely to comply with your suggestion than independent, competitive, stubborn, and argumentative people.

Reverse Psychology Through the Lens of the Enneagram

The Enneagram system recognizes nine distinct personality types, each with its own unique core fears, motivations, and desires.

Here’s how each Enneagram type is likely to respond to reverse psychology:

• Type 1 (The Perfectionist). Ones tend to be quite immune to reverse psychology; they usually make decisions based on an inner voice that helps them differentiate right from wrong.
• Type 2 (The Helper). Twos are compassionate and agreeable individuals. If you use reverse psychology on them, it may backfire, as they’re likely to take your suggestions at face value.
• Type 3 (The Achiever). Reverse psychology usually works on Threes. If someone questions their abilities, they’re determined to prove them wrong.
• Type 4 (The Individualist). Fours want to be seen as unique, so they are most susceptible to reverse psychology tactics that urge them to prove how special they are (e.g., “This movie isn’t for everyone.”).
• Type 5 (The Investigator). Fives are analytical and perceptive, so they’re likely to spot and resist persuasion tactics. Direct communication may be far more effective with them.
• Type 6 (The Loyalist). Sixes are cautious individuals who seek safety and usually respect authority, which means reverse psychology can backfire when used on them. However, counterphobic Sixes are more susceptible to this tactic, as they have a rebellious streak.
• Type 7 (The Enthusiast). Sevens are optimistic individuals who cherish freedom and new experiences. They’re likely to fall for reverse psychology if it triggers their fear of missing out.
• Type 8 (The Challenger). Out of all Enneagram types, Eights are arguably the most susceptible to reverse psychology since they have a strong drive to be in control of their lives.
• Type 9 (The Peacemaker). Nines desire harmony and avoid conflict, so reverse psychology is highly likely to backfire on them.

Key Takeaways

Hopefully, you found this article helpful in learning what reverse psychology is, how to use it wisely, and what to do if someone uses it on you.

Before you leave, let’s go over the key points we covered today:

• Reverse psychology is a persuasion method that works based on reactance theory, which suggests that people feel compelled to reclaim their freedom when someone restricts it.
• To harness the power of reverse psychology and use it wisely, you should only use it when open communication doesn’t work and keep it subtle.
• Reverse psychology is most effective on Enneagram Types 3 and 8, as they have a strong need to assert themselves; meanwhile, Types 2 and 9 are very agreeable, so this tactic usually backfires on them.

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