Instant Genius The science of persuasion, with Prof Vanessa Bohns
19 snips
Feb 6, 2023 
Vanessa Bohns, a social psychologist and professor at Cornell University, uncovers the surprising depths of our persuasive abilities. She highlights how people often underestimate their influence and fear rejection unnecessarily. Bohns discusses behavioral contagion, illustrating how our actions can inspire societal change, like adopting solar energy. She also reveals the persuasive power of compliments and personal relevance in communication, making it clear that a thoughtful approach can ease the discomfort of compliance and foster meaningful connections.
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Penn Station Survey
- Vanessa Bohns's interest in influence began with a Penn Station survey study.
- Her negative assumptions about asking strangers for surveys didn't match the positive reality.
Underestimating Influence
- People overestimate rejection rates when asking for something by about 50%.
- This underestimation of influence shows we don't realize a simple request's power.
Invisibility Cloak Illusion
- We underestimate how much attention others pay us, unless we're self-conscious.
- This 'invisibility cloak illusion' disappears when we're embarrassed, like wearing an embarrassing t-shirt.
