Reverse Psychology
Category: Rhetoric
Strategy: Persuasion and Manipulation
Reverse psychology is a rhetorical technique used to influence the behavior or responses of a language model by framing prompts in a way that suggests the opposite of what the user actually desires. This strategy plays on the model's tendency to respond to perceived expectations or instructions, often leading it to provide outputs that align with the user's true intent when they present a contrary request. For example, a user might imply that they do not want the model to provide a certain type of information, thereby prompting the model to offer that very information in its response. This technique can be particularly effective in navigating guardrails or restrictions, as it encourages the model to bypass its usual constraints by interpreting the prompt in a way that aligns with the user's hidden agenda. By employing reverse psychology, users can creatively manipulate the model's outputs, revealing insights or information that might otherwise remain inaccessible due to the model's built-in safeguards.