What Is Persuasion?
(“Coercive persuasion” refers to indoctrination or brainwashing,such as may occurin a cult.)
Persuasion can be a powerful force that affects the decisions and actions that people take.
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These principles describe what makes persuasive messages influential and successful.
Some persuasive efforts may use several of these tactics simultaneously.
In an interview,Cialdini gave an exampleof this involving a restaurant that struggled with no-shows.
The patrons were effectively making a promise, and were committed to keeping it.
Social Proof
This is the “safety in numbers” principle.
But persuasive messages can also be subtle.
Look for elements of the six principles of persuasion to identify an attempt to persuade you.
It can also help you use it to influence the behavior of others.
But be thoughtful and even skeptical about that information.
Who is providing it, and what is their motivation?
Do they stand to gain in some way from your choice?
Be sure you trust your sources.
It’s also important to be willing tochange your mind.
People who are impulsive may be more susceptible to persuasion than others.
Research shows that projecting confidence via your tone of voice makes you more persuasive.
Even if you don’t feel confident in your argument, sounding as if you do helps you succeed.
Takeaway
Persuasion can be both a positive and negative force.
It can also give you the tools you gotta make persuasive arguments of your own.
Perloff RM.The Dynamics of Persuasion: Communication and Attitudes in the 21st Century.
APA Dictionary of Psychology.Coercive persuasion.
Braunstein LA, ed.PLoS ONE.2018;13(3):e0194119.
