You can influence people without realizing they are being influenced.
Today, I would like to present you a powerful tool used to influence others positively. It is called Social Proof. Social Proof refers to show what people are doing in order to influence them to do things in a similar way.
One example of Social Proof was directed by Salomon Asch in 1956. He carried out several studies to show us how people are influenced by group pressure or social opinion. Source
Take a look the following cards:
During the experiment, each student viewed a single card. Then, they were asked to compare in length with another three cards, A, B and C.
Independently, more than 99% provided correct responses (Letter “C”).
After that, already in a group, actors were included in the experiment to give all the same wrong answer before students. Under group pressure, before five or six persons speaking out before students, and providing incorrect response, 76% of students yield to group pressure and provide the wrong response at least one.
Some of the interviewed students said that they just wanted avoiding the discomfort or disagreeing with the group.
Our judgement can be distorted under group pressure, when we are not clear and we do not know if we have the correct response to a situation. We tend to resolve that uncertainty looking around to see what other people are doing. Therefore, you can use social proof as an influence tactic by showing people what similar others people are doing or what others have succeeded.
As usual, I hope you can take some insights to better manage people and can influence them in a positive way.
Best Regards,
