reverse psychology

Meanings

nounreverse psychology (uncountable)

uncountablehuman sciencesThe advocacy of one course of action in such a way as to persuade someone to take an opposite course.

Also see

Chinese Mandarin 激將法 /激将法

激將法 /激将法 (jījiàngfǎ)advocacy of one course of action in such a way as to persuade someone to take an opposite course

Finnish käänteispsykologia

käänteispsykologiaadvocacy of one course of action in such a way as to persuade someone to take an opposite course

French psychologie inversée

psychologie inverséeadvocacy of one course of action in such a way as to persuade someone to take an opposite course

German umgekehrte Psychologie

umgekehrte Psychologieadvocacy of one course of action in such a way as to persuade someone to take an opposite course

Spanish psicología inversa

psicología inversaadvocacy of one course of action in such a way as to persuade someone to take an opposite course

Cite this entry

APA

reverse psychology. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/reverse%20psychology

MLA

“reverse psychology.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/reverse%20psychology. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “reverse psychology,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/reverse%20psychology.