Reverse psychology refers to getting another person to do or say something by telling them the opposite of what is desired. It's a form of manipulation that has questionable success.
1. Know who reverse psychology works on. Some people just don't respond to reverse psychology. The people who do are mostly the ones who hate being told what to do. They care more about the power struggle itself than what the struggle is about. Rebellious children are classic examples. Basically, anyone with a sensitive ego that clouds their judgment is susceptible.
2. Wait until they get worked up. It's much easier to use reverse psychology when someone is emotional, since you want to trigger an immediate reaction. The more you argue back and forth, the more of a power struggle it becomes, and the more the other person will want to "win".
3. Say the opposite of what you're arguing, but in the same tone. Eventually, what the person is fighting about is not the subject of the argument, but your attempt to dominate them in some way. And soon, they're arguing with the way you're saying things, rather than what you're saying. For example, you're trying to get a roommate to clean the toilet. For a while you've been saying things like "You should clean the toilet because it's disgusting" and "I always end up having to clean it". Then start saying things like "Fine, stop cleaning the toilet, I don't care! I want people to see how disgusting you keep the bathroom! I want people to see what a slob and a pig you can be!" Odds are, the person will respond by saying "I'll clean the toilet whenever I want!"
An alternative approach is to say "Fine, I give up. You win." Some people will respond by realizing that they were just being adversarial. They didn't really want to win, they wanted you to keep arguing with them because they got caught up in the power struggle. When they actually do win, they feel bad that they "won" over something that meant a lot more to you than it did to them, as if they took something from you by making it so difficult.
4. Push it further. Following with the toilet example, say "No! Forget it. I'm getting rid of the cleaning supplies. You don't use them anyway, and I'm not using them anymore either." Now you're dominating by roping off an activity, which a rebellious, reactionary person will not appreciate.
5. Call their bluff. If they start saying they'll do what you wanted them to do in the first place, but on their terms, say "I don't believe you!" Add in some statements that will trigger their ego, like "You never finish what you start" or "You won't clean the toilet as well as I do anyway".
Sometimes you can use this step on its own, like betting someone that they can or can't do something. "The reason you don't clean your room is because you're bad at it...I bet you can't keep your room clean for a month!"
6. Be ready to follow through. Don't make empty threats. If you said you'd stop cleaning the toilet, stop cleaning the toilet, and that the other person will see how disgusting a toilet can really get. If you do succumb and start cleaning the toilet again, though, the other person will feel like they won, and will continue to rebel with increased fervor. So unless you're willing to follow through, don't use reverse psychology. Does it matter more to desire freedom from (objective) sins or from physical and personal disagreements? Which freedom is profound and therefore more needed for (peacefulness) truthfulness?
