The brain is a mysterious thing — one can easily crack it, not physically, but psychologically. Psychological tricks are like invisible bullets — able to pierce the workings of a brain without the physical damage. While the ethics of using psychology tricks are up for debate, no one is against learning a few. Tricking the mind takes time and patience. Charisma is usually required to pull off these tricks. Of course, you must remember that you could become the subject of some mind tricks too.
In this world, you are either a Frank Reynolds or Atticus Finch, meaning you either have a mind equal to Fort Knox or can resist the harshest mental tricks. In the Fort Knox situation, brain tricks pass through your brain like light through glass — freely and effectively. On the other hand, you might be like Atticus, calm and able to counter even the greatest of mind games. Of course, there are also the ones who start the tricks, who like the psychological manipulation of the mind, but they are usually just overall bad people.
Want to play an innocent mind game or two? Look no further than Reddit, especially AskReddit, where people share some of the best psychological games you can use on a person. Are they psychopathic or not — well, it’s up to you. If you need help, share the trick with a friend for additional insight. Either way, if you think a trick could trick you, be sure to upvote it for others to see. If you tried it or were on the receiving end — leave a comment below on how you dealt with it.
#1
"Sometimes when my dog won’t eat his food I turn on the stove and act like I’m cooking it. I will grab random condiments from the fridge and fake pour them in. Nothing changes but now he wants it."
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57points
#2
"When you're studying for an exam, try to study in multiple different settings (different rooms in your house, a library, outside, etc.) Multiple settings sets up more connections for your brain towards the material you're learning and you're more likely to remember it."
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41points
#3
"Compliment people behind their backs. Don’t do it in a manipulative way, genuinely compliment people and somehow it gets back around to them and it leads to them liking you."
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39points
#4
"If you need to get information from someone give them the wrong information. People are a lot more willing to correct you than help you."
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37points
#5
"Basically, don't try to defend your position when someone criticizes/gets mad/disagrees with you. Just shrug your shoulders and go on with your life."
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36points
#6
"If you feel like someone doesn't like you, ask them for advice on something about which they're more knowledgeable than you. This gets them into the mindset that they're on your side and they'll tend to view you more sympathetically."
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35points
#7
"Speak a little more quietly when you have something important to say. The other person will try harder to hear you."
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34points
#8
"I've noticed that people will let me do kind things for them if they think I'm doing it for selfish reasons. 'No, let me cook for you! I need to practice making this dish!'"
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31points
#9
"I am always surprised at how effective simple silence can be. Some people become so uncomfortable with it that they will simply tell you all kinds of things."
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29points
#10
"My kids never wanted to nap, so when it was nap time I'd tell them 'No napping, sorry, you may NOT take a nap.' Amazing how they'd immediately want to go take their naps, lol. It really did work."
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28points
#11
"You really don’t have to add much to be part of a conversation. Just occasionally repeating part of the other person’s sentences as a question can be more than enough to continue their momentum. I learned it in a negotiation masterclass."
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26points
#13
"Listening to someone without giving advice or pushing for more information typically nets me more information than being pushy for it."
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25points
#14
"I like to write positive affirmations on my bathroom mirror. It gets into my subconscious and really helps with my mental state during times of depression."
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25points
#15
"Some of the guys are just desperate for a compliment, so I thank them and positively reinforce anything I want them to keep doing. 'You're a champ dude, I saw you did all the dishes again. Solid effort.'"
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24points
#16
"My friend in high school told me that she did things around the house without being asked and her mom almost never said no to her. I tried it on my mom. I cleaned the kitchen before she got home from work. It only took me 20 minutes and it worked. No more curfew. I started doing it every day. My older brother couldn't figure out why he was only allowed to borrow dad's work van and I always got mom's convertible."
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22points
#17
"When people ask for advice I mentally walk them through various scenarios that might occur based on their actions or choices. Then I ask them which scenario they prefer. Because they made their own choice instead of being told what to do they have more determination to follow through."
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21points
#19
"If you're always locked in the endless cycle of figuring out what's for dinner with your significant other, instead of asking them what they want, ask them to guess what we're having. Whatever the answer is, tell them they were right and have that."
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20points
#20
"When someone says an inappropriate joke (sexist, racist, etc) tell them, 'I don’t get it.' Have them try to explain why it is funny. Sometimes it helps people have a moment of self-reflection and growth."
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19points