The boomerang effect in psychology: definition, features and examples

The boomerang effect is a very curious phenomenon that all people sooner or later encounter. Here are just a few people know about how it actually works. But this information can radically change life, making it much better. So let's talk about what constitutes a boomerang effect. How can you use it for your own good? And why do not all people believe in its existence?

boomerang effect

A bit about Aboriginal people from Australia

If today a boomerang is a children's toy, then in the old days it was a very formidable weapon. The first aborigines of Australia began to use it in order to hunt quirky game. The beauty of this weapon was that if the boomerang did not hit the target, then he would return back to the warrior.

However, in inept hands, a boomerang not only did not bring benefits, but also became a real misfortune. Launched along the wrong trajectory, he could cripple the owner, and in some cases even kill him. Therefore, quite often, those actions for which a person receives retribution over time are called the boomerang effect.

boomerang effect in life

The boomerang effect in psychology

As for the scientific explanation, then under this phenomenon, psychologists mean the result, completely opposite to what was expected. For a better understanding, we give an example of how the boomerang effect works in life. Suppose someone forbids a person to think about food, motivating this by training willpower. However, such a taboo is more likely to make a person think about food, and not vice versa. Indeed, in this case, the rule works: the forbidden fruit is the sweetest.

In addition, the boomerang effect has another meaning. So, some psychologists and philosophers see it as the basic concept of life relationships. That is, when good returns with good, and evil with evil. For example, the initiator of the scandal is more exposed to the condemnation of others than his opponent.

boomerang effect in psychology

The first studies of boomerang laws

It is curious that for the first time, media workers thought about the boomerang effect. This was led by the fact that sometimes a person not only did not believe in the information provided to him, but also changed his point of view to the opposite of what they tried to convey to him. Later, a group of Russian psychologists took up the study of this phenomenon, thanks to which it was possible to deduce a certain pattern.

So, the most important factor is the degree of impact on human consciousness. That is, the stronger the propaganda, the less people believe in it. The reason for this is a special block that our brain puts in excess of information. For example, if only one poster is hanging in a subway car, then most passengers will read it. But if there are a hundred such leaflets, then they will only be cast a cursory glance.

Such knowledge is very important in some areas. In particular, public relations managers often use this law when writing competent advertising campaigns. For example, if at the election several candidate promises will be perceived as true, then their excess will be considered a wholly false.

boomerang effect in relationships

Features of the contact of the boomerang effect with real life

Nevertheless, for many, the boomerang effect is something very distant and abstract. Indeed, on the one hand, everyone understands his principle, and on the other, they naively believe that he does not act on them. But only in reality absolutely all people are faced with its influence, now you will see this.

A striking example is our children. Suppose adults constantly tell them not to climb trees. However, instead of listening to the elders, they immediately begin to look for a way to get around this ban. And this applies not only to dangerous adventures, but also to everything else: food, study, cleaning and so on.

Moreover, not only children are exposed to the boomerang effect. Quite often, adults behave in exactly the same way. For example, the more bans exist in a family, the more often they are violated. This is due to the fact that such taboos clamp a person into certain frames, which are simply difficult for our consciousness.

Therefore, in order to avoid the boomerang effect, it is better not to resort to harsh taboos. It will be more rational to apply the principle of distraction. For example, take the same case with a child and a tree. Do not speak loudly that you can not climb trees. It will be more effective to offer the child to play elsewhere, explaining that it is much better and more interesting there.

boomerang effect examples

What goes around comes around…

You should also remember that the boomerang effect quite often becomes bitter. Everything has its price, which sooner or later will have to pay. Thus, evil deeds will turn into even greater troubles, and good will be rewarded according to merit.

Perhaps someone will find this statement too banal and far from reality. But let's figure it out, based on scientific facts. To begin with, let’s lower the punishment on the part of the law, since, alas, it is not always able to overtake the criminal. Much greater pay will be a conscience, which, unlike people, always finds its victim.

So, scientists have long proved that the more a person worries about misconduct, the more his psyche is destroyed. And this, in turn, leads to serious psychological trauma and deviations.

boomerang effect

Why do not everyone believe in the existence of a boomerang effect?

Distrust of the boomerang effect is often justified by the fact that people are confident that reckoning should come instantly. But this does not happen. Often, years pass before a person feels the boomerang effect. Examples of this surround us everywhere; you just have to take a closer look.

Suppose a woman took her husband out of the family. It would seem that now everything will be fine with her, since her beloved is nearby. But years will pass, and the same woman will be beaten off by another lady, thereby repaying the debt. Perhaps someone will see an accident here, but in reality it is a boomerang effect. In a relationship, it’s always what you give and receive. That is, taking a man from the old house, you will get a husband who can easily leave his new family. The only question is when this will happen.

And there are a lot of similar examples with the boomerang effect. But their essence remains the same: any evil sooner or later turns against the one who released him. Only the appearance in which it returns changes.

Source: https://habr.com/ru/post/C34841/


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