Marketers often use these tactics to get people to buy their products or sign up for their services.
Learning more about these tactics can help you become more aware of when you’ve been influenced.
The following are just a few of the highly effective persuasion techniques.
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Other methods include the use of rewards, punishments, positive or negative expertise, and many others.
This key in of persuasion appeals to a person’sfundamental needsfor shelter, love, self-esteem, and self-actualization.
Social media advertising relies on appealing to these social needs.
Online influencers create images that depict appealing and aspirational imagery.
People then feel persuaded to purchase the items they hope will give them the same look or lifestyle.
Use Loaded Words and Images
Persuasion also often makes use of loaded words and images.
Loaded words and evocative images can create emotional responses that go beyond what the literal meaning.
We are then more likely to comply with the larger request.
For example, a neighbor asks you to babysit their two children for an hour or two.
Go Big and Then Small
This approach is the opposite of the foot-in-the-door approach.
A salesperson will begin by making a large, often unrealistic request.
The individual responds by refusing, figuratively slamming the door on the sale.
The salesperson responds by making a much smaller request, which often comes off as conciliatory.
People often feel obligated to respond to these offers.
That first number will become the starting point.
While you might not get that amount, starting high might lead to a higher offer from your employer.
Limit Your Availability
Psychologist Robert Cialdini is famous for the six principles of influence.
One of the key principles he identified is known as scarcity or limiting the availability of something.
Cialdini suggests that things become more attractive when they are scarce or limited.
An artist, for example, might only make a limited run of a particular print.
Look for examples of persuasion in your daily experience.
You might be surprised by the sheer amount of persuasive techniques used in such a brief period of time.
How People Resist Persuasion Techniques
It is also important to remember that persuasion isn’t always effective.
Counter-Arguments
We may contest the message and provide opposing arguments.
Sometimes, this involves contesting the message, such as finding facts or counterarguments that present opposing information.
In other cases, we might attempt to discredit the source of the information.
Avoidance
Bias
Certain types of bias can also contribute to persuasion resistance.
Recap
Resistance to persuasive messages can come in many forms.
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