USING MODERN PERUASION THEORY IN PROFESIONAL COMMUNICATION
Feb 23, 2016
USING MODERN PERUASION THEORYIN PROFESIONAL COMMUNICATION
PERSUASION STARTERS IT IS: CHANGE IN ATTITUDES, BELIEFS AND
VALUES USING COMMUNICATION. NOT COERCION.
NOTHING NEVER HAPPENS. SOMETHING ALWAYS HAPPENS.
PERSUASION IS EVERYWHERE.PERSUASION IS INCREMENTAL.NOTHING WORKS ON EVERYONE IN EVERY
SITUATION
MORE STARTERS
THREE STAGES: NEED ALL OF THEM.ATTENTIONCOMPREHENSIONYIELDINGWARNING OF PERSUASION. YOU ARE ALWAYS
JUST TRYING TO SHARE INFORMATION AND HELP, NOT PERSUADE.
ELM
1. People want to hold correct beliefs and attitudes. 2. Motivation to elaborate (think) varies with individuals
and situations. People conserve cognitive resources. 3. Variables can impact persuasion: a. Persuasive arguments: reasons, evidence,
logical connections. b. Peripheral cues: images, speaker, previous
positions, mental shorthand, etc. c. Extent & direction of elaboration (thinking):
biased vs. objective.
MORE ELM
4. Persuasive arguments: the central route a. Personal relevance b. New information c. Comprehension and understanding d. Objective elaboration
MORE ELM
5. Peripheral cues: the peripheral route a. Source focus b. Intangibles/Associations c. Images/symbols d. Confusion, lack of comprehension and
understanding. e. Biased elaboration f. Repetition
MORE ELM
6. Elaboration: a. Extent determined by motivation b. Biased elaboration: low motivation c. Objective elaboration: high
motivation 7. Central trades off with peripheral
LAST ELM
8. Central route persuasion has: (but is harder to get)
a. More persistence b. More behavioral change c. More resistance
TRIGGERING ROUTE
STEPS TO FOLLOW:1. EVALUATE THE PERSUASION SITUATION -
MOTIVATION, KNOWLEDGE, PERSONAL RELEVANCE.
2. SELECT THE ROUTE TO TRIGGER - CENTRAL OR PERIPHERAL
CHOOSE PERIPHERAL
Choose PeripheralLevel of Motivation LowPersonal Relevance LowPrevious Knowledge Use ItOpinion of Speaker - High is Essential
CHOOSE CENTRAL
Level of Motivation – High is good, increase itPersonal Relevance – High is good, increase itPrevious Knowledge – Promise new
informationOpinion of Speaker – Useful, but as evidence
TRIGGER CENTRAL
Personal relevance for motivation – EARLY!New informationArguments, evidence, logicClear explanationCognitive involvementUse of source as a logical argument
TRIGGER PERIPHERAL
Source focus Intangilbles and associations Use existing beliefs-biased elaboration Use images and symbols Use strategic confusion Repetition
CENTRAL MESSAGE
Organize into major argumentsEach major argument should have reasoning,
explanation, evidenceEmphasize how it impacts the audience early
in the speechPoint out new information, promise new
information early in the speech
PERIPHERL MESSAGE
Entertaining, mildly distractingAppeal to biases and social normsUse expertness
SEQUENTIAL TECHNIQUESUSING THE MATTERN OF COMMUNICATION
WHEN TO USE IT?
Mostly in interpersonal interactions, not as effective with institutional persuasion.
BUT, when dealing with individuals in a institutional setting it may work well.
1- PRE-GIVING
Act nice towards them, giving them something in advance.
Two people, in a study, brought in a free soda, bought more raffle tickets.
Let us press your suit while you shop.Must seem unconditional and not a bribe.
2 – FOOT IN THE DOOR
Small request first, that goes well, and a bigger one later.
Creates a good relationship, self-perception validated, then they have to live up to it.
First request must not be too big. First request must be pro-social Same person makes both requests Label them as a good person. Blood donor badge. Works better with those who value consistency
3 – FOOT IN MOUTH
Have a positive interaction with them before you make request. How are you? Beautiful day!
More likely to ne positive after a positive interaction.
Talk to them first, establish yourself as an individual like them.
Works well on cold calls.
4 – ASK FOR THE STARS
Ask for too much and then work down. Youth counseling example – 15 hours week becomes
“take kids to the zoo.” Do not want to appear unreasonable. You made a concession, thy should a well. Request large enough to be rejected, but not too large
to offend. Brief delay between two requests Same person makes both requests.
5 – SWEETEN THE DEAL
But wait, there is more (before you complete the deal)
Small cakes being sold. One group also told after a few seconds they get free cookie also.
Makes the deal sound better.Do not start too high. They respond to your pro-social behavior, and
the deal sounds better as it has a comparison.
6 - LOWBALL
You offer a really good deal, then the deal changes – not include x or y.
They decide they want it, imagine having it, and then the deal changes, but they already want it.
Credit card rates – teaser rates then rates go up. They stick with the credit card.
College admissions in the US – extra charges, but you don’t want to change your decision.
7 – BAIT AND SWITCH
You get them excited about a deal, and then it changes.
They are there to buy, have decided to buy, and do not want to change.
Airlines, vacations. Oh, we are all sold out of that, but we have X at a higher price.
Difference must not be too big.
REMEMBER
Each audience is different.Each person is different.Have target group in an audience – those you
can influence. Ignore those who already agree. Ignor those who will never agree.Focus on those you can actually persuade.
PERUASION IS POWER
Only use it for good.Bad uses hurt you over time.Unethical practice only work once.Reputation is priceless.Best persuasion is when they conclude you
helped them.