We are manipulated, coaxed, persuaded and influenced every day by hundreds of extraneous factors, some unintentional, but most, deliberate. Below are two interesting studies which demonstrate the influence of power.
Obedience to Authority: A powerful study done by Stanley Milgram in 1974 demonstrated how individuals are prone to respond to individuals who they believe are in a superior position. Milgram recruited individuals willing to participate in a memory experiment -. Each recruit was introduced to an experimenter who wore a white coat and a supposed co-recruit - although the co-recruit was an actor. Each real participant was given the role of Teacher and the co-recruit automatically given the role of learner. THe task was simple, the teacher was to give simple memory tests to the learner and the learner was to read them back. Each time the learner made an error, an electric shock was to be administered to the learner. With each incorrect response, the shocks were to increase by 15 volts with the maximum being 450 volts - quite a dangerous dose of electricity. What was the end result of this study? 65% of all participants obeyed the experimenters demand of increasing the voltage to the maximum 450 volts. This was done even with the co-recruit begging for a reprive. Simply because a professional looking gentleman in a white coat implored these volunteer participants to subject these co-recruits to the maximum voltage was enough to intimidate 65% of the subjects.
How do I love thee? Let me count the J's: Talk about powerful. Do humans recognize the level of manipulation going on around them? Did you know studies suggests that people not only gravitate towards others who resemble them but even to people who share the same first initial in their names. In a study done in 2004, support was found for implicit egotism. Participants tended to be more attracted to others who shared the same letters of their first name and/or last name, especially the first letter of either of these. For example. Joan Gialsco marries James Galarmo. This theory just further reinforces the fact that people like people who are like them.
To learn how you can bring Tonya Reiman to your company/association or group to present her popular seminar on influence and persuasion simply call (631) 780-5382 or email Tonya@TonyaReiman.com .
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