Reverse psychology facts for kids

Reverse psychology is a clever trick where you tell someone to do the opposite of what you actually want them to do. The idea is that they will then do what you secretly hoped for! This works because people often don't like being told what to do. When they feel their freedom is being taken away, they might do the opposite just to show they can make their own choices. This is called reactance.

This trick can be especially good for people who like to resist rules. But for people who usually follow instructions, a direct request works best. The person being influenced usually doesn't even know what's happening!

How Reverse Psychology Works

Reverse psychology is a type of persuasion that uses a special trick. It's like when you want your friend to pick a certain movie, but you say, "Oh, let's definitely NOT watch that one!" hoping they'll then pick it.

Why People React This Way

This trick relies on something called psychological reactance. Imagine someone tells you, "You absolutely cannot have that cookie!" Suddenly, you might want that cookie even more, just because you were told you couldn't have it. That strong feeling of wanting to do the opposite when your freedom is threatened is reactance. People naturally want to feel free to choose what they like. When that freedom is taken away, they often try hard to get it back.

Another way reverse psychology works is called strategic self-anticonformity. This is when someone pretends to believe the opposite of what they really think, hoping to get you to do what they truly want. You might see this in ads that say, "Do not click this link!" or "Do not push this button!" They say this because they know it might make you curious and want to do it even more!

Reverse Psychology and Teens

Reverse psychology is often used with kids and teens. This is because young people often have a strong desire to make their own choices and might react strongly if they feel controlled.

However, some experts warn that this trick can sometimes backfire. Kids and teens can often tell when someone is trying to manipulate them. It's usually better for adults to lead by example and be honest.

For example, a parent might openly say they don't like their teen's new friend, hoping this will make the teen like the friend even more. While this can sometimes work because teens often want to be independent, many experts say it can be confusing and dishonest. It's often better for parents to talk openly and honestly with their teens.

Reverse Psychology in Therapy

Sometimes, therapists use a technique similar to reverse psychology called a "paradoxical intervention." This is like "prescribing the symptom." It means the therapist might tell a person to do the very thing they are struggling with.

For example, if someone is very worried and can't stop thinking about something, a therapist might tell them to spend a specific short time each day worrying on purpose. This can sometimes make the worrying feel less powerful or even a bit silly, helping the person to see their problem in a new way. By going with the person's resistance instead of against it, the therapist can make the unwanted behavior less appealing.

Reverse Psychology in Relationships

In friendships and family relationships, reverse psychology can be used in different ways. Sometimes, it's used as a trick to get someone to do something. For example, if you want your friend to come over, you might say, "Oh, I guess you're too busy to hang out today, huh?" hoping they'll say, "No way, I'm coming over!"

However, it can also be used in a helpful way. For instance, if someone is being very stubborn about something, gently suggesting the opposite might help them think differently and come to a better decision on their own.

Reverse Psychology in Marketing

Businesses and advertisers sometimes use ideas from psychology to understand how people make choices. They might use reverse psychology to make you want something more.

For example, a company might create a "secret brand" that is very hard to find. They might not have regular stores, catalogs, or even a website. People might want these products even more because they are so hard to get. It's like a challenge to find them, and that makes them seem more special. This is a clever way to make things more desirable by making them less available.

Images for kids

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  A robot thinking about choices.

See also

• Devil's advocate
• Double bind
• Streisand effect