Behavior= Frame of Mind x Persuasion
When referencing one’s frame of mind, I am combining various factors that influence an individual’s inner state as such:
Frame of Mind= Emotions + Learning
Emotions are an integral component that comprises one’s frame of mind. Emotional communication is more impactful than logical communication and therefore has a greater influence on one’s state of mind (Hartmann, 1936). In the same way, vivid and emotional personal experiences are greater influencers on an individual’s thinking than statistics (Nisbett, Borgida, Crandall & Reed, 1976; Nisbett & Ross, 1980; Hamill, DeCamp Wilson & Nisbett, 1980). Positive Emotions contribute to one’s frame …show more content…
If the environment is one of unanimity then it is less likely that the individual will behave in a contrary way (Allen & Levine, 1971; Milligram, 1963; Asch, 1955). Also, the more the environment perpetuates a particular behavior (ie. through media coverage), the more it will be replicated (Phillips & Carstensen, 1986; Phillips, Lesyna & Paight, 1992; Phillips & Carstensen, 1990; Phillips, 1989). However there is an exception in which behavior will become contrary to the direction of attempted persuasion when an individual feels as if their freedom is being infringed upon (Brehm, 1966). Environments also become more persuadable when there is an element of fear. Fear is an effective motivator (Leventhal, 1970; Leventhal, Meyer & Nerenz, 1980; Cameron & Leventhal, 1995) and fear can be ingrained into a culture to the point in which it influences …show more content…
The more receptive an individual is, the more susceptible to persuasion and the more likely this persuasion will affect their behavior. The first factor that determines an individual’s receptiveness to suggestion is self-esteem. As self-esteem increases, the likelihood of behaving counter to group norms also increases (Zellner, 1970; Wood & Stagner, 1994). Acting out of the norm of a group increases even further when they have high self-esteem in relation to a specific and relevant skill that they have an opportunity to perform (Mausner, 1954; Mausner, 1954; Goldberg & Lubin, 1958; Wiesenthal, Endler, Coward & Edwards, 1976). Another obvious determiner of receptiveness is the perceived attractiveness of the communicator. Humans habitually link attractive communicators with attractive positions (Eagly & Chaiken, 1975; Eagly, Ashmore, Makhijani & Longo, 1991). In fact, there are an abundance of peripheral cues that, like attractiveness, are based completely on the individual’s biases and perceptions yet are an extremely influential determiner of receptiveness (Aronson & Golden,