Aspects of Social Influence

Think about who or what influences you and how you influence others.

Are you always aware of your language and actions that might influence others? If you are not certain, you are not alone.

Sometimes influence is obvious and intentional, and you are aware of it. However, often you may be influenced, or influence others, and not fully recognize it. When this happens, one area of concern is the aspect of social influence involved. Is the language you are using more like a big stick or are you dangling a carrot?

In other words, is what you are saying or doing forceful or enticing? Awareness of everyday use of influence, and understanding characteristics of different forms of social influence, are important for maintaining standards of behavior in both personal and professional interactions.

For this Discussion, you will recall a time when you influenced another person's thoughts or actions in a positive way.You will analyze and evaluate the aspects of influence you employed.

To prepare:

- Review Chapter of the text. Pay particular attention to the meaning and differences between persuasion and coercion, propaganda, and manipulation. (The Dynamics of Persuasion: Communication and Attitudes in the 21st Century, Richard M. Perloff, 2003)

- Recall a situation when you influenced another person in a positive way (e.g., addressed negative or harmful thinking or behavior).

- Reflect on the language and/or actions you used to influence the other person and which aspect of social influence (i.e., persuasion, coercion, propaganda, or manipulation), or a combination, most accurately characterizes your approach to the person.

- Consider to what degree you were aware of the type(s) of influence you were using and whether you would employ the same or different aspect(s) of social influence today.

Below are the questions that need to be answered. Please make each question in bold print with the answers following below.
Please cite from this source:(The Dynamics of Persuasion: Communication and Attitudes in the 21st Century, Richard M. Perloff, 2003)

- Describe the situation and the language and/or actions you used to influence the person.

- Explain the aspect(s) of social influence most evident in your language/actions, and to what degree you were aware of using persuasion, coercion, propaganda, and/or manipulation at the time.

- Explain the outcome and your degree of success in influencing the person.

- Based on what you know now, explain whether you would use the same aspect(s) of social influence with this person today, or what type of influence you would employ instead, and give your reasoning.