reverse psychology
Counterintuitive persuasion tactic
Reverse psychology is a persuasion technique where you advocate for the opposite of what you actually want, expecting the other person to resist and do what you intended all along.
Parents use it on stubborn children: If you don't want to eat your vegetables, that's fine—more for me.
The strategy exploits people's tendency to assert autonomy by defying suggestions.
Underhanded control of others
- misdirectionIntentional focus manipulation
- mind gamesPsychological manipulation tactics
- subterfugeDeliberate deception to conceal
- indirectNot straight or immediate
covert · ploy · gambit · feint · bluff · stratagem · ruse · cunning
Contrary to expectations
- contradictionOpposing claims, incompatible together
- ironyMeaning opposite to words
- inversionReversal of position
- unexpectedNot anticipated beforehand
twist · illogical · counterpoint · double bind · catch-22 · self-fulfilling prophecy · unintended consequence · boomerang
Open resistance to authority
- resistanceCapacity to withstand force
- rebellionDefiance of established power
- noncomplianceFailure to follow requirements
- obstinacyUnyielding adherence to position
stubbornness · contrarian · pushback · oppositional · spite · disobedience · backfire · boomerang effect
Power to affect others
- suggestionIdea proposed for consideration
- nudgingLight push to prompt
- coaxingPersuading through gentle persistence
- inducementMotivating factor or offer
prompting · swaying · enticement · cajoling · convincing · steering · guiding · insinuation
manipulation
Underhanded control of others
- misdirectionIntentional focus manipulation
- mind gamesPsychological manipulation tactics
- subterfugeDeliberate deception to conceal
indirect · covert · ploy · gambit · feint · bluff · stratagem · ruse · cunning · scheming
counterintuitive
Contrary to expectations
- contradictionOpposing claims, incompatible together
- ironyMeaning opposite to words
- inversionReversal of position
unexpected · twist · illogical · counterpoint · double bind · catch-22 · self-fulfilling prophecy · unintended consequence · boomerang
defiance
Open resistance to authority
- resistanceCapacity to withstand force
- rebellionDefiance of established power
- noncomplianceFailure to follow requirements
obstinacy · stubbornness · contrarian · pushback · oppositional · spite · disobedience · backfire · boomerang effect · forbidden fruit
influence
Power to affect others
- suggestionIdea proposed for consideration
- nudgingLight push to prompt
- coaxingPersuading through gentle persistence
inducement · prompting · swaying · enticement · cajoling · convincing · steering · guiding · insinuation · implication
- mind gamesmind game, head game, head games, mind games, intimidation
- manipulationgaslighting, guilt tripping, blame-shifting, brainwashing, guilt trip
- manipulation tacticsgaslighting, guilt trip, guilt-tripping, guilt tripping, emotional blackmail
- cunningcunning, craftiness, crafty, guile, slyness
- persuasionpersuade, persuasion, persuasive, convince, convincing
- tacticsmaneuver, counter-attack, gambit, ambush, counterstrike
reverse, reversed, psychology, psychologist, reversing, irreversible, reversible, psychological, psychologists