We hope that our current amount of information is sufficient in helping you achieve your goal. For now, we would like to leave the discussion board open to (along with any new ideas) the topic of 'ethics'. It must be said that the art of persuasion is a powerful tool to hold on to. No, we don't mean 'dark arts' in the sense where we fear each of you are going to shrink someone's head or turn them in to a rat. However, there is a great ability to sway people in ways that they may not fully grasp and one must consider ethics and plug the right ones in to each conversation if we want to consider ourselves a part of a democratic way of life.
This being said, we would like to hear your thoughts on this issue. Is there a place for ethics in persuasion? Or is it solely the other persons fault whether or not they fall for your argument? Until then, enjoy this video of the Guarani children in Misiones, Argentina. It's amazing to see that in all of our differences, the little guys still feel the need to make sure their hair is looking good. Haha, while our languages may present a certain barrier, I guess we can all relate to the fact that, damn it feels good to look cool every now and then! Enjoy!
Monday, April 26, 2010
Message Sidedness
We can now look more in to persuasive method that most people are accustomed to nowadays. The method (when performed correctly) deals with message sidedness and presents itself in a way where you can beat your parents on the race to the counter argument, answering their questions in a manner where you still have control of the conversation. First off, to start this idea, w
e need to see how there are three ways that we can present information to people (listed in order of "most likely to work" to "fat chance":
1) Two-Sided Reutational (Present weakened forms of opposing viewpoints, then refute them with arguments supporting your own view).
2) One-Sided (Speaker presents information solely from their own side of the argument).
3) Two-Sided Non-Refutational (Opposing arguments are presented, but not argued against).
When we look at number three, it's easy to say "no way anybody would ever do that!". However, when it comes down to business, we even see the highest ranking politicians take part in this weak method. How many times have we seen politicians mention a counter argument, only to stray off topic with smears holding little to no resonance in the current conversation? So, it does happen and it's something that we most definitely want to stray away from.
Then we stumble across number two. While this may be the easiest manner to present an argument, it pales in comparison to number one. One reason for this is that, with a one-sided message presented, the other person will spend their time constructing a counter-argument while you are presenting your side of the issue. However, if you mention (and argue) opposing view points, you will be able to maintain control of the conversation and "dumb down" certain arguments that the opposing side would otherwise be preparing during your argument. Now, you have caught the other side's attention and they're wrapped around your finger. You have beaten them to the chase and (hopefully) they will become speechless and impressed with your ability to persuade!
* It is important to recognize whether or not the opposing side is even familiar with the topic or not. If not, the conversation will hit many dead ends. Yet, if you present both sides of the argument for the other person, you will come across the same phenomena that biased news stations find themselves in all too often; you will give the person the feeling that they understand the argument and that there is only one way to logically follow (your way).
Door-In-The-Face
One theory that works well with persuading a parent towards a ‘study abroad option’ is the “Door-in-the-face” strategy. Here, you will start your conversation off with an extreme request that will inevitably be turned down. While it’s nice to set one’s parents up with a ridiculous request, one needs to make sure their request doesn’t go too far and cause the parents to cut the conversation off early due to it’s ridiculous nature. This theory works best without a time delay and a student will benefit the most if all can be said and done in a single conversation. A perfect example of a first question in relation to our topic would be:
“So, Mom and Dad. Remember how we’ve been talking a lot about this whole ‘study abroad option’? Well, I thought a lot about it and decided that I would love to spend a year traveling, I dunno… All around the world! What do you think about this?”
There is no need to mention the pricing if it’s too ridiculous, one must remember not to sway their parents too far away from the target. Nonetheless, at this point they will have their parents wrapped up in hysteria due to such a ridiculous request. Yet, being that they are that the parents and they want for their child to live a good life, they will hopefully feel a bit of guilt because of their refusal. This is where the persuader comes in with their second request. They will be trying to think of a better option, and well, thank goodness you have one ready for them, right?!
A good example of a second statement would be:
"Alright, alright. While I was really set on the year of world travel… I could really see myself settling in to Buenos Aires, Argentina for a semester. I don’t want to push you guys too far.”
Here, their parents will find themselves tied down by the idea behind the norm of reciprocity. Being a parent, they want to find a safe middle ground in conversations, and the student’s second (and original target) request seem to work a great deal better than the first.Just think about this request without the door-in-the-face strategy being used. A semester abroad is not something easy to request in relation to a (safe and comfortable) semester in good old ____, USA. However, when related to an extremely expensive trip around the world, a little old semester in Argentina starts sounding a great deal better than it would have if set up alone in the first request.
Information manipulation theory
Information manipulation theory relies on four maxims: quality, quantity, relation and manner. These are all fairly simple concepts, and ones that will no doubt persuade your parents into letting you study abroad. You should try to apply all four aspects, if at all possible. But beware: if executed poorly and without much practice in the dodging-questions-by-omission arena, information manipulation may not be the right theory for you. Luckily, we've provided five other theories to choose from.
Quality: Be upfront about the facts! Parents have this weird thing where they don't appreciate lies. And studying abroad does have the potential to be dangerous, so they're going to be asking a lot of questions. Be prepared for the worst, but don't go throwing information out there that was unsolicited.
Relation
Don't change the subject...or do. If your parents start getting aggressive with their interrogation (and you know how parents love those double-barreled questions), answer the parts
of the question that will make you look good.
of the question that will make you look good. Manner
This is somewhat related to quantity, in that you can side-step some of the more loaded questions. You should clearly present your case to your parents; don't be vague or too general. But key to this maxim in this case is that you should sound specific, without actually giving all the details. It will all unravel itself with time.
Good luck and safe travels!!
This is somewhat related to quantity, in that you can side-step some of the more loaded questions. You should clearly present your case to your parents; don't be vague or too general. But key to this maxim in this case is that you should sound specific, without actually giving all the details. It will all unravel itself with time.
Good luck and safe travels!!
Theory of Reasoned Action
When I was first drawn to the idea of studying abroad in Japan at the age of 19, I definitely used the technique of the Theory of Reasoned Action to logically, coherently, and victoriously persuade my parents to study abroad.
1. A person’s attitude toward a behavior (personal benefits and risks)
2. Subjective norms (compliance with other peoples’ opinions)
By knowing how you and how your parents feel about studying abroad and also assessing your community’s overall approach to the concept of studying abroad can put you at a far advantage.
Thankfully, they were not against the whole idea of studying abroad and the community they were involved in was openly supportive of my eagerness to study abroad. We talked it out logically and I gave them my beneficial reasons such as expanding international networks, strengthening my Japanese language skills, learning how to live independently, and having my grandparents in Tokyo as a support base. After assessing the benefits and costs, they were agreeable to my decision to study abroad. I had an amazing time, made some lifelong friends, and was able to prove myself to my parents. Try this theory and make sure you come up with some strong beneficial factors in your study abroad trip.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Mere Exposure Theory
In complete support for the foot in the door theory, I just wanted to expand on the possibilities in options for persuading parents to letting you study abroad. I have been fortunate enough to travel as well but it did take some coaxing and a low level of unconscious persuasion to make them comfortable with the whole idea of studying abroad.
Have you ever heard of the Mere Exposure Theory? While it may sound too easy to be effective, it actually works when executed correctly. The Mere Exposure Theory basically states that repeated exposure to an unfamiliar stimulus can in and of itself increase positive effects toward the stimulus. To put in simpler terms: Increased exposure=increased liking. The idea of studying abroad will eventually grow on your parents. What's even crazier is that the theory is most effective when it takes place at a low level of awareness or conscious level!
So how do we go about strategically exposing your parents subtly to studying abroad? Here are a few tips:
1. Place travel brochures and pictures of the desired country in communal places such as the living room, kitchen, or even inside their car.
2. Play some of your country's music while your parents are around and act like your sudden switch from hip hop or hard rock to a culturally infused melody is nothing drastic.
3. Talk about how great you've been doing in school lately and how many of your friends are thinking about doing something big to reward themselves
4. Change their computer screen saver to beautiful sceneries of your desired location
5. Find any news articles or featured specials on your country and mention it in light conversations.
Of course, these almost subliminal message exposures take time and should be carried out at least a few months in advance to your study abroad deadline. I know that through the mere exposure theory, my parents were more willing to listen to my reasons and have a more positive feeling toward me studying abroad in Cuba. As you can see in the pictures, studying abroad is an experience of a lifetime and hopefully this persuasion technique works for you too.
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