This reminds me of some kind of psychological effect that Adam Grant explored in one of his books (can't recall which).

The basic idea is that if you have to expend effort to prove to yourself something then you'll actually disprove it to yourself. The example he uses is: people that have to think of like 5 things they're grateful for, they wind up feeling less grateful and less fulfilled. Because it takes more effort.

He recommends using it in the context of pitching products/investments: you give them the main reasons they shouldn't invest/buy. You address those concerns. Then they have to expend effort to think of more and maybe they can't.