No. #131

Reverse Psychology
- Encouraging Behavior by Advocating Opposite

Reverse psychology involves advocating for the opposite of the desired behavior, with the expectation that the reverse suggestion will encourage the behavior. This can be a tricky strategy in marketing and parenting apps, where indirect encouragement might be used to prompt desired outcomes.

Read more on Wikipedia

Product example

A fitness app might challenge users with 'I bet you can’t complete this workout five days in a row,' to motivate them to prove the app wrong.

Empathy tips

1

Use Sparingly

Use reverse psychology sparingly, as overuse can lead to mistrust or confusion.

2

Clear Intention

Ensure the intention behind using reverse psychology is clear and ethical.

3

User Understanding

Gauge the user base's receptiveness to such strategies through testing.

4

Monitor Outcomes

Closely monitor the outcomes of using reverse psychology to ensure it’s having the intended effect.

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Anna Lundqvist
UX & AI ethics expert driving better products and smarter teams.
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Eddy Salzmann
Design lead crafting seamless products and mentoring design teams.
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Ola Möller
Facilitator helping organisations see the big picture and take action.