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Curiosity Weekly
The Power of Giving a Reason
According to a classic psychology study, providing a reason significantly influences the likelihood of receiving permission. The study showed that when people were given a reason for a request, they were much more likely to agree compared to when no reason was given. The type of reason, whether nonsensical or generic, did not make a significant difference. Even a simple reason like 'because I'm in a rush' or 'because I have to make copies' greatly increased the compliance rate. However, the effect of giving a reason diminished when the request became more substantial, such as making 20 copies instead of five. Overall, the research highlights the power of providing a reason even if it may not seem substantial, as any reason tends to improve the chances of getting what one wants.
