How Do You Use Psychology to Get What You Want? 20 Mind Tricks Revealed 🧠✨

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Ever wondered why some people seem to effortlessly get what they want—whether it’s a yes in a negotiation, a better deal, or simply winning over a room? Spoiler alert: it’s not luck or magic; it’s psychology. From subtle body language hacks to powerful conversational strategies, mastering these mind tricks can transform your interactions and outcomes.

Stick around, because later we’ll reveal how whispering instead of shouting can calm even the most heated arguments, why asking “Are you nervous?” can psych out your competition, and how the ancient Ben Franklin Effect can turn a cold stranger into an ally. Ready to unlock the secrets that savvy influencers and magicians alike use every day? Let’s dive in!

Key Takeaways

  • Non-verbal cues like nodding and mirroring build instant rapport and agreement.
  • Strategic silence and well-timed questions encourage others to reveal more and concede.
  • Framing language with “we” and planting ideas as “their” boosts collaboration and buy-in.
  • Understanding cognitive biases like the sunk cost fallacy protects you from poor decisions.
  • Ethical use of these psychological tools fosters trust and long-term relationships.

Looking to sharpen your skills further? Explore our curated collections of Magic Psychology and Card Tricks for mind-bending inspiration and practical applications.

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Table of Contents

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Welcome, aspiring mind-benders and masters of influence! We’re the team at Mind Trick™, and we’ve spent our lives decoding the secrets of illusion, perception, and yes, a little bit of psychological mind trickery. You know that feeling when someone just gets people? They navigate conversations with ease, people seem to naturally agree with them, and they just… get what they want. It’s not magic—well, not entirely—it’s psychology. And today, we’re pulling back the curtain.

Sometimes, it might seem like people are going through life with cheat codes — like there are some life hacks the rest of us don’t know about. Especially when it comes to dealing with other people. But what if we told you that you could learn these “cheat codes” too? Ready to upgrade your social software? Let’s dive in.

⚡️ Quick Tips and Facts

Before we delve into the deep secrets of the human mind, here are some quick-fire facts and tips to whet your appetite. Think of this as your psychological appetizer!

Quick Trick 🎩 The Psychology Behind It 🧠
Want someone to agree? Nod subtly while you’re talking. People often subconsciously mirror body language to build rapport, which can lead them to nod along and be more agreeable.
Need to remember names? Repeat their name during the conversation. Using someone’s name makes them feel acknowledged and important, strengthening your connection and making the name more memorable for you.
Stuck song in your head? Think of the end of the song. This is related to the Zeigarnik effect, where our brain obsesses over incomplete tasks. Finishing the “task” (the song) helps your brain let it go.
Want to appear confident? Use “power poses.” Standing tall with open, relaxed postures can actually make you feel and appear more self-assured.
Need to win a negotiation? Let them fill the silence. After you make your point or ask a question, wait. Most people are uncomfortable with silence and will often talk more, revealing information or conceding points just to fill the void.

Unlocking Human Behavior: A Brief History of Influence & Persuasion Psychology

The quest to understand and influence human behavior is as old as humanity itself. Ancient Greek philosophers like Aristotle laid the groundwork with his concepts of ethos (credibility), pathos (emotion), and logos (logic), which are still central to persuasion today. Fast forward through centuries of rhetoric and philosophy, and the 20th century saw the birth of social psychology as a scientific discipline.

Pioneers like Carl Hovland at Yale University began systematically studying how communication changes attitudes. Later, geniuses like Leon Festinger gave us the game-changing concept of Cognitive Dissonance, explaining that uncomfortable mental tension we feel when our actions and beliefs don’t align. And of course, we can’t forget the modern master, Dr. Robert Cialdini, whose legendary book Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion identified six (now seven) universal principles of influence that are the bedrock of modern marketing, leadership, and, yes, even our work in Magic Psychology. These principles—Reciprocity, Scarcity, Authority, Commitment and Consistency, Liking, and Consensus (or Social Proof)—are powerful tools that, once understood, you’ll start seeing everywhere.

The Mind Trick™ Playbook: Ethical Psychology Tactics for Everyday Life

Alright, let’s get to the good stuff. Here are some of the most interesting and useful psychological tricks—the ones that feel like real-life magic. We’ll also touch on the slightly more mischievous ones, so you can spot when they’re being used on you and resist!

Mastering Non-Verbal Cues: Body Language & Beyond

What you don’t say is often more powerful than what you do. Your body is constantly communicating, so let’s teach it to say the right things.

1. The Nod of Agreement: Subtly Guiding Consensus

✅ The Trick: When you want someone to agree with what you are saying, nod your head up and down slightly.

This is a classic for a reason. People subconsciously mirror the body language of those they’re interacting with. When you nod, you’re non-verbally signaling “this is true” or “we are in agreement.” Often, the other person will start nodding back without even realizing it, making them more psychologically receptive to your point. It’s a favorite among savvy salespeople and, ahem, magicians who need the audience on their side for a grand illusion.

2. The Power of the Silent Stare: Deflecting Rudeness

❌ The Scenario: Someone’s being rude to you, making snide comments or being unnecessarily aggressive.

✅ The Trick: Stay completely silent and just stare at them.

This is a bold move, but incredibly effective. When you refuse to engage with their rudeness and instead meet it with calm, unwavering silence, it throws them off completely. The social script they were expecting is gone. The silence makes them feel incredibly uncomfortable and forces them to confront their own behavior. As one person put it, “It sorta forces them to be alone with their thoughts for a second, and they usually realize they’re being a jackass.” They’ll almost always back down and become more civil.

3. The Whisper Effect: Calming the Storm

✅ The Trick: When someone is raising their voice at you, instead of matching their volume, lower your own voice to a near-whisper.

This is a fantastic de-escalation technique. To hear you, they have to quiet down. It subconsciously forces them to match your volume, which in turn helps to calm their emotional state. One of our team members swears by this: “I never went that far, but I lowered my voice down to a whisper so they couldn’t hear me over their own BS. Generally, after a few moments, they adjust their volume to match yours subconsciously and calm down. It’s a pretty great trick with my kid if she’s not too worked up already.”

4. Mirror, Mirror on the Wall: Building Instant Rapport

✅ The Trick: Subtly mirror the body language, posture, and even speech patterns of the person you’re talking to.

This is called the “Chameleon Effect,” and it’s one of the most powerful tools for building rapport. When we subtly mimic others, it sends a subconscious signal that says, “I’m like you. We’re in sync.” This creates a feeling of comfort and trust. If they lean in, you lean in a few moments later. If they use their hands a lot, you can become slightly more expressive. The key is subtlety. You’re not a mime; you’re creating a subconscious dance. Once you’ve established this rapport, you can even lead the dance—by shifting to a more relaxed posture, for example, you can often guide them into a calmer state as well.

5. The Human GPS: Navigating Crowds with Confidence

✅ The Trick: When walking through a crowded area, look intently in the direction you want to go, not at the people in your path.

Ever notice how some people just seem to part the seas in a crowd? This is their secret. People naturally look at your eyes to gauge your direction and intent. If you’re looking straight ahead at your destination, they will subconsciously move out of your line of sight to let you pass. Stop looking at your feet or making eye contact with every person you’re trying to avoid, and you’ll get where you’re going much faster.

The Art of Conversational Influence: Words That Work Wonders

Now for the verbal spells. The right words at the right time can be more powerful than any Levitation trick.

6. The Silence is Golden Rule: Eliciting Information & Better Offers

✅ The Trick: After you ask an important question or receive an offer, just wait. Be silent.

People have an innate desire to fill an uncomfortable silence. If you ask a question and they give a partial answer, just keep quiet and maintain eye contact. They will almost always start talking again, often revealing the very information they were holding back. This works wonders in negotiations, too. When a salesperson gives you an offer, just wait. The silence is deafening for them, and they’ll often sweeten the deal just to break the tension.

7. The “Explain Yourself” Gambit: Disarming Offensive Remarks

❌ The Scenario: Someone makes an inappropriate, sexist, or offensive comment.

✅ The Trick: Calmly and innocently ask them to explain it. “I don’t get it, could you explain what you mean?”

This is a social kill switch. It puts the spotlight directly on them and the ugliness of their comment. Forced to dissect their “joke” or remark, the offensiveness becomes glaringly obvious, especially if there’s an audience. The mountain of awkwardness that falls on them is usually enough to ensure they never try it again.

8. The Personal Life Pivot: Redirecting Unwanted Questions

❌ The Scenario: A nosy coworker keeps prying into your personal life.

✅ The Trick: Turn the tables by asking them questions about their lives.

People absolutely love talking about themselves. If you deflect their prying questions by showing a sudden, deep interest in their weekend, their hobbies, or their family, they will happily take the bait. You can maintain entire work relationships with people who know next to nothing about you, simply by becoming an expert listener.

9. The Unreasonable Example: Unlocking Hidden Information

❌ The Scenario: You’re trying to get specific information (like the cost of a service), but you’re getting vague, non-committal answers.

✅ The Trick: Give them a wildly unreasonable example.

Let’s say you’re asking about tuition costs. If they won’t give you a number, you could say, “So, what are we talking? Like, $10 for the whole course?” They will be so quick to correct your absurdly low number that they’ll usually give you the exact figure, feeling a bit embarrassed for being cagey in the first place.

10. The Ben Franklin Effect & The Grand Favor: Building Bridges and Getting Help

✅ The Trick: To get someone who is cold towards you to like you, ask them for a small favor.

This is the famous Ben Franklin Effect. It works because of cognitive dissonance. Our brains struggle when our actions (doing you a favor) conflict with our feelings (disliking you). To resolve this dissonance, their brain reasons, “I must not dislike this person after all, otherwise I wouldn’t have helped them.” Asking to borrow a book is the classic example Franklin himself used.

For a slightly different spin, if you need help, try making the favor seem bigger than it is first. “Babe, could you do me the biggest favor in the world? … Can you grab the remote?” It frames the request in a playful, exaggerated way that makes the actual small favor seem even more trivial and easy to grant.

11. The “We” Factor: Fostering Alignment and Collaboration

✅ The Trick: Frame tasks and goals using “we” instead of “you” or “I.”

This simple language shift is incredibly powerful. Saying “Here’s what we need to do” instead of “Here’s what you need to do” automatically fosters a sense of teamwork and shared purpose. It makes people feel like they are part of a collaborative effort, not just taking orders. Teachers use this all the time to get students on board with tasks.

12. Priming for Agreement: Setting the Stage for Success

✅ The Trick: Before making a new proposal, start the conversation by reminiscing about past times you successfully worked together toward a common goal.

This is called priming. By bringing up past instances of agreement and cooperation, you prime their brain to be in a more agreeable and collaborative state. Recalling that shared success makes them more likely to go along with your current idea.

13. The “Their Idea” Illusion: Planting Seeds of Persuasion

✅ The Trick: People will be far more committed to an idea if they believe it was their idea.

This is an advanced technique. Instead of pitching your idea directly, you plant seeds. Ask questions and make suggestions that guide them toward the conclusion you want. Let them connect the final dots. When they proudly announce the “new” idea, all you have to do is agree enthusiastically. It takes patience, but it’s a masterclass in influence.

14. The “Anything to Tell Me?” Loophole: Encouraging Confession

✅ The Trick: If you suspect someone (a child or even an adult) is hiding something, calmly ask, “Is there anything you need to tell me?” and then just wait in silence.

This question is brilliantly open-ended and non-accusatory. It creates a space for confession, and the ensuing silence is often too much for the guilty party to bear. They will want to fill that silence and will often fess up.

15. The Gratitude Shift: “Thank You for Your Patience” vs. “Sorry”

✅ The Trick: Instead of apologizing for a delay or a mistake, thank the other person for their patience or understanding.

Think about it. “Sorry for the wait” admits a fault. “Thank you for your patience” compliments them. It reframes the situation positively, removes the focus from your mistake, and makes the other person feel appreciated and virtuous.

16. The Illusion of Choice: Guiding Decisions with Autonomy

✅ The Trick: Instead of asking an open-ended question, offer two choices that both lead to your desired outcome.

This is a staple in sales and parenting for a reason. Don’t ask, “When can we schedule the meeting?” Ask, “Would morning or afternoon be better for our meeting?” Don’t ask, “Do you want to put your toys away?” Ask, “Do you want to put your cars or your blocks away first?” This gives the other person a sense of control and autonomy, making them far more likely to comply.

The fantastic video, “15 Psychological Mind Tricks To Get People To Do What You Want” by Psych2Go, which you can see at the top of this article, covers many of these powerful concepts. As they wisely ask, “The only question is whether you will use this power for good or for evil.” Check it out at #featured-video.

Let’s get into some highly specific, almost theatrical maneuvers for particular situations.

17. The Desk Escort: Gently Removing Distractions

❌ The Scenario: A chatty coworker is lingering at your desk, and you need to get back to work.

✅ The Trick: As you continue the conversation, stand up and slowly start walking with them… back to their own desk.

It’s a move of pure social genius. You’re not being rude; you’re still engaged in the conversation. But your body is leading them back to their own space. By the time you’ve arrived at their desk and wrapped up the chat, they often have a moment of bewilderment, wondering how they got there.

18. The “Are You Nervous?” Mind Game: A Cautionary Tale in Competition

❌ The Trick: In a competitive setting, if you notice an opponent seems anxious, nonchalantly ask them, “Are you nervous?”

This is a devious one, and we’re sharing it so you can recognize and defend against it. This question can get right inside an opponent’s head, amplifying any anxiety they already feel and potentially wrecking their focus. It’s a mental attack, plain and simple. If someone tries this on you, recognize it for the cheap shot it is, take a deep breath, and refocus on your game.

19. The Thrill of Attraction: Leveraging Arousal on Dates

✅ The Trick: For a second or third date, do something exciting or even a little scary—like riding a roller coaster, seeing a scary movie, or going rock climbing.

This is based on the misattribution of arousal. The adrenaline, the racing heart, the sweaty palms—the physical symptoms of fear and excitement are very similar to those of romantic attraction. Their brain can get confused and mislabel the thrill of the activity as intense attraction for you. Bonus points if you remain calm and comfort them, as this positions you as a stable, protective figure.

20. The Random Hand-Off: The Power of Unquestioning Acceptance

✅ The Trick: While you’re in the middle of talking to someone, just hand them a random object.

This is a funny and bizarrely effective demonstration of our brains on autopilot. If a person is engaged in a cognitive task (like a conversation), they will often automatically take whatever you hand them without a second thought. A book, a banana, a stapler—half the time, they’ll just take it. It’s a hilarious party trick and a great reminder of how much of our lives are run by subconscious routines.

🧠 Understanding Cognitive Biases: Protecting Your Own Mind

Now that you know how to influence others, it’s time to learn how your own mind can be tricked. Cognitive biases are systematic errors in thinking that affect our judgment and decision-making. Knowing them is like having a shield against manipulation and bad choices.

The Sunk Cost Fallacy: Don’t Throw Good Money (or Time) After Bad!

This is a big one. The Sunk Cost Fallacy is our tendency to continue with an endeavor because we’ve already invested time, money, or effort—even when it’s clear that cutting our losses is the best option.

  • The Bad Movie: You’re 30 minutes into a terrible movie. Do you leave? Many people stay, thinking, “I already paid for the ticket!” But the money is already gone. The real choice is: do you also waste the next 90 minutes of your life?
  • The Awful Meal: A friend of ours used to always finish her drinks even if she hated them because she’d paid for them. The money is a sunk cost. Why suffer through a bad drink when the outcome (money spent) is the same, except you’re also miserable?
  • The Failing Project: This is famously known as the “Concorde Fallacy.” The British and French governments kept pouring billions into the Concorde supersonic jet long after it was clear it would never be commercially viable, simply because they had already invested so much.

✅ How to beat it: When making a decision, consciously ignore what you’ve already invested. Focus only on the future costs and benefits. Ask yourself: “Knowing what I know now, if I hadn’t invested anything yet, would I still make this choice?”

The Illusion of Randomness: Predicting Human Choices

Humans are terrible at being truly random. When asked to pick a “random” number between 1 and 10, a huge number of people will pick 7 or 3. The numbers 1, 10, and 5 just don’t feel random enough. This is a golden nugget for us in the world of Card Tricks. If we want to force a card, we know that placing it in the middle of the spread makes it feel like a more “random” and fair choice to a spectator.

The Power of Vulnerability: Admitting Mistakes Builds Trust

This might seem counterintuitive, but it’s a powerful truth. Admitting your mistakes, especially at work, doesn’t make you look weak—it makes you appear more trustworthy and human. People are more willing to trust someone who is honest about their imperfections than someone who pretends to be flawless.

When Silence is Golden (Again!): Choosing Your Battles Wisely

If someone is incorrect about a minor detail that has no real bearing on the conversation, just let it go. Correcting them might give you a fleeting sense of satisfaction, but it often comes at the cost of embarrassing them and derailing the flow of the interaction. Unless the fact is critical, it’s usually not worth it.

⚖️ Ethical Considerations: Wielding Your Influence Responsibly

With great power comes great responsibility. The line between ethical persuasion and unethical manipulation can be thin. Persuasion, at its heart, should be about creating mutual understanding and positive outcomes. It’s about presenting your case effectively, not coercing or deceiving someone.

Manipulation, on the other hand, exploits psychological weaknesses for personal gain, often at the other person’s expense. Tactics like “negging”—giving backhanded compliments to undermine someone’s confidence—are purely manipulative.

Before you use any of these techniques, ask yourself:

  • What is my intent? Am I trying to create a win-win situation, or am I just trying to win?
  • Am I being transparent? Or am I hiding information and deceiving the other person?
  • Am I respecting their autonomy? Or am I trying to override their ability to make their own informed choice?

The goal is not to become a puppet master. The goal is to become a more effective, empathetic, and savvy communicator. Use these tools to build bridges, not to burn them.

Conclusion: The Art and Science of Human Connection 🎭✨

a close up of a person with a necklace on

So, what have we uncovered on this fascinating journey through the labyrinth of human psychology and influence? From the subtle power of a nod to the strategic use of silence, from mirroring body language to the illusion of choice, these psychological tools are not just tricks—they’re keys to unlocking better communication, deeper connections, and yes, getting what you want in life.

But here’s the kicker: these techniques work best when wielded ethically and with empathy. Influence is not about manipulation or deceit; it’s about understanding human nature and guiding interactions toward mutually beneficial outcomes. When you master these skills, you become not just a better negotiator or persuader, but a more insightful and compassionate human being.

Remember the question we teased at the start: How do you use psychology to get what you want? The answer is a blend of awareness, subtlety, and respect. Use these mind tricks to open doors, not slam them shut. Use them to build bridges, not walls.

And if you ever feel overwhelmed by the complexity of human wants—your own or others’—take a breath and remember: everyone is just trying to get what they want, too. Understanding that is the first step toward harmony.

Ready to put these insights into practice? Keep exploring, keep experimenting, and keep enchanting the world with your newfound mind magic.

Ready to dive deeper or pick up some tools to enhance your psychological toolkit? Check out these highly recommended resources and products:

  • Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion by Robert Cialdini — Amazon
  • Controlling People by Patricia Evans — Amazon
  • Psychology of Persuasion: 7 Principles to Influence People (Book summary & guide) — Amazon
  • Magic Psychology category on Mind Trick™ — Explore Here
  • Card Tricks category on Mind Trick™ — Explore Here
  • Levitation Tricks category on Mind Trick™ — Explore Here
  • Coin and Money Tricks category on Mind Trick™ — Explore Here

FAQ: Your Burning Questions About Using Psychology to Get What You Want 🔍

woman's face on black background

What are some mind control techniques to influence people’s decisions?

Mind control in the strictest sense is a myth, but psychological influence is very real. Techniques like mirroring body language, using the power of silence, and framing choices to create the illusion of autonomy are powerful tools. For example, by subtly matching someone’s gestures and tone, you build rapport that makes them more receptive. Pausing after a question encourages them to fill the silence, often revealing valuable information or conceding points. Always remember, true influence respects free will and is based on ethical communication.

Read more about “20 Mind-Blowing Psychological Tricks to Influence People in 2025 🧠”

How can you use persuasion psychology to get what you want in relationships?

In relationships, persuasion is about empathy and connection. Using inclusive language like “we” fosters alignment and shared goals. The Ben Franklin Effect—asking for small favors—can increase warmth and liking. Active listening and asking open-ended questions encourage openness. Avoid manipulation; instead, focus on building trust and mutual respect. For example, when partners feel heard and valued, they’re naturally more willing to cooperate.

Read more about “Can Psychological Mind Tricks Boost Your Communication? 18+ Hacks (2025) 🧠”

What are the most effective manipulation tactics used in sales and marketing?

Sales and marketing often use principles from Cialdini’s work: Reciprocity (giving something small to get something bigger), Scarcity (limited-time offers), Social Proof (testimonials), and Authority (expert endorsements). The illusion of choice is also common—offering limited options to guide decisions. While effective, these tactics can be manipulative if used without transparency. Savvy consumers recognize these and make informed choices.

Read more about “Are Psychological Mind Tricks Manipulative or Magical? 🧠✨ (2025)”

How do you use body language to manipulate people’s perceptions of you?

Body language shapes first impressions and ongoing perceptions. Power poses (open, expansive postures) convey confidence. Maintaining eye contact signals honesty and engagement. Mirroring builds rapport. Conversely, closed postures (crossed arms) can signal defensiveness. Manipulating body language means consciously controlling these signals to project desired traits, but authenticity is key—people can sense insincerity.

Read more about “50 Proven Psychological Mind Tricks Backed by Science (2025) 🧠✨”

Can you use NLP to control people’s minds and get what you want?

Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) offers techniques to influence communication and behavior by understanding language patterns and mental models. While NLP can improve rapport and persuasion, claims of “mind control” are exaggerated. Ethical NLP focuses on enhancing communication effectiveness, not coercion. Using NLP responsibly means helping others make better decisions, not overriding their autonomy.

What are some psychological tricks to make people agree with you?

Some effective tricks include:

  • Nodding while speaking to encourage agreement.
  • Starting conversations by recalling past cooperation to prime agreement.
  • Using inclusive language (“we”) to foster alignment.
  • Pausing after making a proposal to let the other person fill silence with acceptance.
  • Framing ideas as their own to increase commitment.

These methods leverage subconscious cues and social dynamics to build consensus.

Read more about “27 Mind-Blowing Psychological Tricks to Make Anyone Like You (2025) ✨”

How can you use cognitive biases to influence people’s decisions and get what you want?

Understanding biases like the Sunk Cost Fallacy helps you avoid poor decisions and recognize when others might be influenced by them. Marketers exploit biases like Anchoring (relying heavily on the first piece of information) and Availability Heuristic (overestimating likelihood based on recent examples). By framing information strategically, you can guide decisions. For example, presenting a high initial price makes subsequent discounts feel more attractive (anchoring). Use these insights ethically to help others make better choices.

For further reading and verification, here are some authoritative sources and related materials:

Ready to wield your new psychological superpowers? Remember, the best magic is the kind that makes everyone feel like a winner. 🎩✨

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