How to use reverse psychology to persuade, in 5 steps

Some tips on how to use the persuasive potential of this psychological resource.

Reverse psychology is one of the concepts linked to the psychological that have gained more fame at a popular level. at a popular level. It is not necessary to be a university graduate to have heard at least once, even superficially, what this type of resource used especially in persuasion consists of.

However, it is one thing to know what and quite another to master how. The idea that reverse psychology basically consists of asking for one thing in order to get the opposite done is totally fallacious. If it worked that way, no society would exist or be able to sustain itself, since our lives in collectivity are based on constantly making requests, delegating tasks, giving orders, etc.

In the following lines we will see just basic and fundamental ideas on how to use reverse psychology in persuasion processes. how to use reverse psychology in persuasion processes..

How to use reverse psychology?

Going to the essentials, we can define reverse psychology as a process by which we increase the likelihood that a person or group will engage in a task by communicating a frame of reference through which it is indicated that they should do the opposite. This means that it does not simply consist of giving an order for others to do the opposite action, but works by taking into account the roles of each person and the expectations that are at stake.

Fundamentally, reverse psychology consists of shifting people's attention to an aspect of the situation that gives them a reason to behave in an apparent way. reasons to behave in a way that is apparently the opposite of what it suggests. who has released this information. To create the impression that a communication error has occurred, in short, which clearly shows which option is preferable and which is not.

Whether or not to use reverse psychology depends on a number of moral considerations that depend on the context. moral considerations that depend on the context. For example, if it involves giving false information, its moral implications will not be the same as if one works at all times with factually correct information. Whether what is said is true or false goes beyond the concept of reverse psychology, it is independent of it.

That said, let's look at how to use this persuasion strategy step by step.

1. Analyze the strengths and weaknesses of the action you want to promote.

The action option you would like to be chosen by the other person (or by the group of people you will be addressing) necessarily has advantages and disadvantages.

So start by distinguishing these positives and negatives so that you can keep them in mind at all times. When using reverse psychology, you should create a framework in which at least one of these advantages is clearly presented and the possibility of thinking about the disadvantages is discouraged. For example, going to the gym has the advantages of offering a habit that makes us feel good, improves our health and reinforces our self-esteem, but it requires physical effort and costs money.

2. Discover a frame of reference that can be attractive.

From what you know about the person or people you are going to address, think about those aspects of the action you want to promote. those aspects of the action you want to promote that may be more attractive.. For example, in the case of going to the gym, this element can be the fact of looking fitter and having the admiration of other people when they see their progress.

3. Plan from which role you are going to speak

This is important, since one of the keys to knowing how to use reverse psychology is to keep in mind that part of its power is based on assuming a role to which the other person should oppose, although not from hostility. That is, we must embody something that represents a "category" in which, right off the bat, the other person does not feel included or even opposes.

For example, this can be done even when talking to a friend if we take as a reference some of the characteristics in which we most differ or oppose ourselves. Something that illustrates it well would be to take advantage of the role of "big brother", although speaking from his not so fraternal facet as a regulator of the behavior of those who are under his care. If we understand that a big brother is not a perfect machine for defining what is best for his younger brothers or sisters, it is easy to generate this subtle transitory antagonism.

4. Offer the option you want to promote as if it were a temptation.

Working from the previous step, create a frame of reference for the conversation that makes it clear that you are speaking from that role in which your interlocutor or interlocutors are not included and can easily have conflicting interests.

Thus, introduce the idea of performing the action you want to promote by making it seem tempting but at the same time making it seem tempting but at the same time inadvisable. from the point of view of the role from which you speak (and towards which the listener has an antagonistic predisposition from the beginning). That is, it is not recommended from a dysfunctional or meaningless logic unless you embrace a role that you do not feel as your own.

5. Use a false dichotomy

To make the action you want to promote attract more attention, you can use a false dichotomy. Speak as if there were two possible options: to choose that option or, on the contrary, another option that you apparently recommend, the latter only because you speak from a certain role. Thus, it is not even necessary to focus on apparently attacking that which you are actually encouraging to do.Instead, you can focus on praising the qualities and advantages of the other option, in a way that is not at all attractive to others.