What is reverse psychology about?

The Reverse psychology It is a behavioral technique represented by the writer and psychiatrist Viktor Frankl. It consists of making certain modifications in the behavior of another person in case they resist doing what we want.

It is a trick that is based on the change of position that we do, to defend the opposite of something that the other person intends contradict and in the end ends up accepting what we are really interested in accepting and believing that he has led us to the opposite by winning us the match.

It can be said that it is a technique where maNegates manipulation and in turn supposes a certain moral dilemma. This reverse psychology has always existed, but today it has acquired greater relevance in various cases and social classes, since it is about pretending that someone does something we want by telling them to do what contrary.

Reverse psychology and marketing

In relation to what has been said above, marketing often uses this type of psychology to be able to achieve the objectives that have been projected. If for example we see when entering a website, some phrase that says content only for subscribers.

This will only allow us to see a part of the content, surely this may be an impulse to want to subscribe to that page out of curiosity to see it in full and see that we have been banned.

It can also be applied through calls, phrases such as, are you capable of, you really want to, want to do it or do you dare to, among others. Anything that can be a challenge is a direct impulse to react and take action.

Steps to apply reverse psychology

In order to apply the steps of reverse psychology, there are no rules of use, however, the following must be done:

Determine to whom the technique will be applied

It is important to keep in mind that it does not work the same way in all people. It is not the same when applied to a client, a supplier or an employee, since each one has its own characteristics and a total difference in terms of its relationship with the company.

Think about the goal

It is necessary to set a goal or objective of what you want to achieve with another person, it is a flattering way, which keeps clear the possible options that will arise.

Placing yourself in an option contrary to the one you want to achieve with another person

In case there are two options and you want the person to choose one, it is necessary to oppose the one you want choose, this strategy will make the other person feel limited in their freedom of choice. choose.

Maintain the proper tone of the conversation

The same tone of voice must be maintained at all times, while focusing on one of the options. In the event of anger, the opposite of anger must be demonstrated.

Pressure for the other person to decide

Pressure should be applied in a subtle way, so that the other person feels that their decisions are being made freely. You may be asked what it is you want to do and allowed to speak up and make your decision.

Care must be taken of the consequences

It should be noted that reverse psychology does not always work as intended, therefore a calculation of the possible consequences that may occur and be aware that it could give the result that is not want.

Need for freedom

The independence that everyone wants to have is what helps to be successful in this type of psychological strategy. The more freedom you want, the greater the possibility that this technique will work and the objective will be achieved.

Effects caused by reverse psychology

When this technique is applied, the person can react in three ways, these are:

Direct restoration

Freedom can be recovered when an action is carried out that contains a direct threat. Responses of this type are manifested especially in people who do not have sufficient capacity for action, such as children and adolescents.

Indirect restoration

On the one hand, a person complies with a threat, but, on the other hand, many times he prefers to maintain his full freedom. This happens in the cases of people who have greater resources.

Subjective response

This occurs when a person responds in an original way to a threat. This response tipi occurs when the person has greater freedom and resources than the previous two cases.

Reverse psychology manipulation in the work environment

In the work environment, there can be two types of situations referring to the Reverse psychology, What are they:

1. The first occurs in companies that have failed or that have very low indicators. The managers of these companies often resort to this type of technique so that employees think that they are not interested in the subject of the work environment. This is produced by the scarce publication of information on the indicators, the adequate management of the measures that improve corrective development, freezing the initiatives, among others.

With this situation, it is intended that employees make their claims and request that the programs be activated, to strengthen and enhance the benefits that the company requires. It is a strategy that determines the inability of those responsible to achieve optimal climate values.

Those who design this situation are not able to observe the importance of this variable and the impact that the results have on the company. This situation occurs due to the practice of focused leadership and defensive strategies and not due to offensive strategies, guaranteeing the good development of the organization the commitment of its workers.

1. Second, you can define a psychology that is totally contrary to what is communicated, this consists, in transmit from the management the importance and value of the company's climate to all staff by the executive.

Despite this, communication is not supported by facts that contrast the relationship of importance with what is being done. With this strategy there is a feeling of discouragement in the employee with everything that is communicated.

In any of the situations, in both the inability of the highest priorities that a company should have is reflected especially if it is in crisis season, due to the differences of the human factor in relation to the competences of the market.

Negative effects of reverse psychology

Like all forms of persuasion, reverse psychology can be an unsafe technique. In order for it to function favorably, various conditions must be put into practice that favor the development of the technique, since it must be taken into account that people often tend to react in a unexpected.

If people are conflictive, who must be controlled, who tend to be dominant or emotional, they are more sensitive to perceive this type of attack on their freedom. In that case, the objective that you want to highlight so that the person reacts must be relevant. It does not make sense to generate options that may not cause you any interest.

This technique can present some risks when used, which allow it to malfunction. Even if the person is conflictive and is interested in the subject, it can be possible to agree without problems. Despite this success, it is a negative effect, since the result obtained is artificial and can affect the person's self-concept negatively.

This technique occurs when you want to obtain the approval of a person. Even when she is in the worst mood, the search could cast doubt on the source of validation, this is because that person's opinion is not totally honest, but is the reaction to provocation of reverse psychology.

Even if it is a influenceable technique that is useful and can work, should not be used all the time, as victories are artificial and can cause dependency, lack of authenticity and lower self-esteem. The best way to build a relationship is through honesty and not manipulation.