Wiktionary
n. (context psychology English) A theory stating that attempts to restrict a person's freedom or change a person's attitudes often produce a strong opposing response.
Wikipedia
Boomerang effect may refer to:
- Boomerang effect (psychology) in social psychology
- Unintended consequences in general
In social psychology, the boomerang effect refers to the unintended consequences of an attempt to persuade resulting in the adoption of an opposing position instead. It is sometimes also referred to "the theory of psychological reactance", stating that attempts to restrict a person's freedom often produce an "anticonformity boomerang effect".
Usage examples of "boomerang effect".
Only their fear of the boomerang effect of a total atomic war, of falling victim to a general holocaust, prevented them from jumping right into it.
We were on the brink of an atomic warl Only their fear of the boomerang effect of a total atomic war, of falling victim to a general holocaust, prevented them from jumping right into it.