The Psychology of Persuasion.

According to a famous book with just our topic's title, the psychology of persuasion can be broken down into six parts:

• Reciprocity: People feel obligated to return favors or kindness they have received.
• Commitment and Consistency: Once someone makes a choice or takes a stand, they feel pressure to behave consistently with that commitment.
• Social Proof (Consensus): People look to the actions and behaviors of others, especially similar peers, to determine their own.
• Liking: We are more easily persuaded by people we know, like, or find similar to ourselves.
• Authority: People tend to follow the lead of credible, knowledgeable experts.
• Scarcity: People want more of things they perceive as rare or in short supply.
• Unity: The newest principle, focusing on the shared identity and the sense of "we-ness" between the persuader and the audience.

Of course, there are other models of the psychology of persuading others, and many realms of life and society in which the tools of persuasion matter. Politics. Family and children. Education. Media. Advertising. And many more. We could discuss the obstacles to persuasion, what works and in which realms, and even our current dearth (death?) of political persuasion.

Optional Backgrounders –

AI search suggestions -
“What is the psychology of persuading others?”
“Psychology of persuasion in politics”
“Common obstacles to persuading others.”

Some ABC-level explainers -
-- “The psychology of persuasion and its principles.” The CW, I think, but a tiny bit long. Recommended.
-- Techniques of persuasion in daily life. Is this phrased differently, focused differently (marketing, biz), or are these different principles and tools?
-- Why threatened minds shut down, and how establishing emotional connections can help get around it. Recommended.

Politics: An increasingly pointless exercise. Still –
-- Psychologist Drew Westen (Famous book: The Political Brain) interview transcript. Recommended.
-- The Psychology of Political Persuasion: From India to MAGA and Beyond. Focus on right-wing populist manipulations from around the world. Recommended.