You cannot hope to exist in today's world without being assaulted by people trying to persuade you into buying, liking, thinking, doing, voting, and/or hating. I think the most obvious example of this is the media's constant attack on our senses, but persuasion can happen in interpersonal relationships too. Additionally, persuasive speeches are the foundation of any kind of voting campaign, which we are witness to as this happens to be an election year.
Let's start with the public speaking bit. Candidates for whatever position use persuasive speaking to collect followers of their cause. They tell people that they are the best person for the job, that their opponents butcher puppies in their sleep and that the only hope for the student council/town/country is to elect them as a leader. They attempt to relate to their audience by declaring themselves as "Just another hockey mom," and by identifying with the ideals of their audience. They do their audience homework really well. The solutions to the problems that they cite usually entail being elected, and then some obscure plan of which we never really learn about in depth during the debates. Candidates fill their audiences heads with the belief that life will in fact be better if they are elected. And people seem to believe it.
Inter personally, I can think of a recent example that I had with a friend of mine. I mentioned that I am looking to get a new computer this fall, as well as a scanner/printer, Photoshop, and a good tablet (I'm an artist, and I want to start working with digital media). while I would love love love to get a new Mac, as they are much better for all the art that I want to do and I prefer them any way, they are a little out of my budget. I could get a non-Mac for a lot cheaper and have more money to spend on programs, tools, and devices, and maybe even have money left over. My friend made a face and said that I should go with the Mac. I told her that I agree with her completely, but that it is out of my budget. She went on to say that a Mac was a better investment, and that it will last longer and is a better product, and that really, when you think about how long it will outlast a PC, that it really wasn't more expensive at all. Again, I agreed with her, but maintained my position that I don't have the money for it, and I unfortunately cannot tap into the magic future account where all of the money that I save over the next five years from having invested in a Mac computer gets saved to buy this computer now. She rolled her eyes and acted like I was being unreasonable. And I totally left the conversation trying to think of a way I could manipulate my finances to put that new Mac on a credit card. Persuasion Win.
Last, and I think most obviously, is the aggressive persuasion that we face from the media. Every where you look, adverts make the claim that we are not pretty/thin/fit/sexy/rich/healthy enough, but this adverts product/service is just the thing we need to turn our life around. Beauty advertisements come to mind here. Our eyes/mouths/hair/armpits/legs/skin aren't bright/luscious/shiny/not-hairy/shapely/clear enough, and if we buy "X" product, then not only will our problems go away, but we will look like the 17 year old model in the advert and be coveted by sexy foreign men. It's pretty much why I don't own a TV. And when I do watch TV, I unconsciously want to eat everything in the kitchen and go shopping. BAD TV.
Persuasion is everywhere. Hopefully looking at it from this angle will allow us to recognize it more and not be so moved by it.
I don't own a TV either, but when I go on vacation or to my parents house I'll watch it. Before too long I find myself wondering if my clothes are outdated, if I should do something different to my hair, that I should buy some gross food I would never go out and buy in my mass media free (almost) Auburn existence. Magazines are the worst for women. I want to blindfold my daughter when we go through the checkout line at the grocery store. It amazes me on both sides, how much the mass media can manipulate things to convince us that we are inadequate without this product, and how many people fall into the traps. With the interpersonal persuasion a lot of it can be very positive. I love word of mouth, when I need a service or some item and don't know where to go and a friend gives me a great review I usually find it to be very helpful. Your Mac situation was very funny to me. I have a few VERY opinionated friends who take it personally when you don't do what they say, and will persuade to the bitter end to get you to comply. I find that the best thing to do in those situations is to drop the subject and not mention it again. Persuasion in interpersonal situations can be helpful, but in the end you have to step back and rethink things to fit your needs and goals.
ReplyDeleteOk, so you had me completely laughing in combination with ranting and raving as I read your post. I couldn't agree more in regards to your media perspective. i am a mother of 3 kids and it's disgusting to me the different things that are portrayed out there as to how 'women' need to look in order to be socially acceptable. After 3 kids, how on earth is one supposed to be what they portray as perfect? skinny, flawless tight skin, the perfect tan, long legs free of a single flaw, perfect hair and so on. That doesn't even touch on the things they try and sell you for your face. According to their regimen we should spend about half our day in the bathroom using 19 different creams and make up application so we are presentable. I don't know about most, but with 3 kids there is no way I have time for all of that. So, am I supposed to think I am less because of this... ridiculous right? And people wonder why our kids today have so many mental issues and suffer daily with identity issues.. why suicide is more prevalent, eating disorders, sexual promiscuity.. the list goes on and on!!
ReplyDeleteAlso, i loved your MAC discussion with your friend. That is hilarious because I am a die hard MAC person for all the reasons your friend stated... they last longer and are virus free where you will go through so many non MAC computers in that time frame.. ha.. the difference being that I also understand that a person had money limitations and I would have offered to fund-raise with you :-) best of luck in your new computer adventures
I didn't even think of the fact that our friends could persuade us to do or think things differently. It made me realize how many times a day I am being persuaded. I really enjoyed that story about you and your friend. I also agree that the media is a huge example of what kinds of persuasion are out there bombarding us every day. It's kind of frustrating to me. I feel as if people or commercials should just give us their opinions about why their product is better and move on, not just continue to drone on. That sort of persistance is what is so irritating to me.
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