The boomerang effect in psychology: definition, features and examples

2024 Author: Miguel Ramacey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 06:11

The boomerang effect is a very curious phenomenon that all people face sooner or later. Only a few know how it actually works. But this information can radically change life, making it much better. So let's talk about what the boomerang effect is. How can you use it to your advantage? And why don't all people believe in its existence?

A little bit about the natives from Australia

If today the boomerang is a children's toy, then in the old days it was a very formidable weapon. It was first used by the Aborigines of Australia in order to hunt quirky game. The beauty of this weapon was that if the boomerang did not hit the target, then it returned back to the warrior.

However, in inept hands, the boomerang not only did not bring benefits, but also became a real misfortune. Launched on the wrong trajectory, it could crippleowner, and in some cases even kill. Therefore, quite often, the boomerang effect is called those actions for which a person eventually receives a reward.

The boomerang effect in psychology

As for the scientific explanation, by this phenomenon psychologists mean a result that is completely opposite to what is expected. For a better understanding, let's give an example of how the boomerang effect works in real 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.

Besides this, the boomerang effect has another meaning. So, some psychologists and philosophers consider it as the main concept of life relationships. That is, when good is returned with good, and evil with evil. For example, the initiator of a scandal is more subject to the condemnation of others than his opponent.

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 derive a certain pattern.

So, the most important factor isdegree of influence on human consciousness. That is, the stronger the propaganda, the fewer people believe in it. The reason for this is a special block that puts our brain with an excess of information. For example, if only one advertising poster hangs in a subway car, then most of the passengers will read it. But if there are a hundred of such leaflets, then they will only be glanced at.

Such knowledge is very important in some areas. In particular, PR managers often use this law when compiling competent advertising campaigns. For example, if a candidate's few promises are taken as true in an election, their excess will be considered a 100% lie.

Features of the contact of the boomerang effect with real life

And yet, for many, the boomerang effect is something very distant and abstract. After all, on the one hand, everyone understands its principle, and on the other, they naively believe that it does not affect them. But in reality, absolutely all people face its influence, now you will see it.

Our children are a prime example. Let's say adults constantly tell them not to climb trees. However, instead of listening to their 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.

It's not just children who are exposed to the boomerang effect. Quite often, adults behave in exactly the same way. For example, the more taboos there are in a family, the more often theyare violated. This is due to the fact that such taboos confine a person to certain limits, 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 would be more rational to apply the principle of distraction. For example, take the same case of a child and a tree. Do not say out loud that you can not climb trees. It will be more effective to invite the child to play in another place, explaining that it is much better and more interesting there.

As you sow, so shall you reap…

Also be aware that the boomerang effect often turns bitter. Everything has its price, which will have to be paid sooner or later. So, evil deeds will turn into even greater troubles, and good will be rewarded according to merit.

Perhaps someone will consider this statement too banal and far from reality. But let's look at this, based on scientific facts. To begin with, let's omit the punishment by the law, since, alas, it is not always able to overtake the criminal. A much greater price will be conscience, which, unlike people, always finds its victim.

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

Why doesn't everyone believe in the boomerang effect?

Distrust of the boomerang effect is often justified by the fact that people believethat retribution should come instantly. But that doesn't happen. It often takes years before a person experiences the boomerang effect. Examples of this are all around us, you just have to look.

Let's say a woman took her husband away from the family. It would seem that now everything will be fine with her, since her beloved is nearby. But years will pass, and another lady will beat off the same man, thereby returning the debt. Perhaps someone will see here an accident, but in reality this is a boomerang effect. In relationships, what you give is what you get. That is, taking a man from his former home, you will get a husband who can easily leave his new family as well. The only question is when it 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 it. What changes is the form in which it returns.