8 Psychological Tricks That Actually Work

Summary

In this informative video, Psych2Goers explore eight effective psychological tricks that can influence people's behavior. These include using personal names to grab attention, offering objects during conversations, using the Pavlov Theory with gum for memory recall, employing cognitive dissonance for personal growth, applying the door-in-the-face technique to negotiate, taking advantage of exhaustion to persuade, mirroring others to make friends, and nodding to encourage agreement. The video emphasizes ethical use of these tactics, reminding viewers that they can be powerful tools for positive change.

Takeaways

• 🎯 Use personal names in conversations to grab attention and redirect focus.
• 🤲 Hand someone an object during a conversation to make them more likely to take it.
• 🍃 Apply Pavlov's Theory by chewing gum during study sessions to improve exam performance.
• 🌟 Visualize yourself in your desired future state to help align your behaviors with your goals.
• 🚪 Employ the 'door-in-the-face' technique by first asking for a big favor and then switching to a smaller one.
• 😴 Ask for favors when the other person is exhausted to increase the chances of compliance.
• 🔄 Mirror others' movements and gestures, known as the Chameleon Effect, to facilitate social connections.
• 👍 Nod your head while speaking to increase the likelihood of others agreeing with your points.
• 💡 Psychological tricks can be effective, but should be used responsibly and ethically.
• 📚 Be aware that these psychological techniques can be used by others on you as well.

Q & A

What is the primary purpose of the psychological tricks discussed in the video?

The primary purpose of the psychological tricks discussed in the video is to help individuals become more persuasive and influential in various social situations, as well as to improve their mental performance and achieve personal goals.

How does calling someone by their name during a conversation affect them?

Calling someone by their name during a conversation can grab their attention and redirect the focus back to the speaker or the person being addressed. It's an effective way to ensure that the listener is engaged and present in the interaction.

What is the significance of handing someone an object while in mid-conversation?

Handing someone an object during a conversation can cause them to automatically take it, even if they were not initially willing to help or engage with the speaker. This is because people tend to respond to physical actions without breaking their narrative or thought process.

How does the Pavlov Theory relate to chewing gum during an exam?

The Pavlov Theory, which involves conditioning a response to a stimulus, suggests that chewing a specific flavor of gum during study sessions can help associate that taste with the information being studied. When chewing the same gum during an exam, it may trigger the memory of the studied material, potentially improving test performance.

What is cognitive dissonance and how can it be used to one's advantage?

Cognitive dissonance is a psychological theory that describes the mental discomfort experienced when a person's actions do not align with their beliefs. By imagining oneself as already embodying the desired behavior or belief, one can use cognitive dissonance to motivate change and align their actions with their goals.

What is the door-in-the-face technique and how does it work?

The door-in-the-face technique is a psychological strategy where a person initially asks for a large favor that is likely to be refused, and then follows up with a smaller request. The contrast makes the smaller request seem more reasonable, increasing the likelihood of it being accepted.

Why are people more likely to agree to requests when they are exhausted?

When people are exhausted, they are more susceptible to persuasion and are more likely to give in to requests because their mental and physical energy is low, making them less resistant to external influences.

What is the Chameleon Effect and how can it help in making friends?

The Chameleon Effect is a psychological phenomenon where people unconsciously mimic the body language, gestures, and facial expressions of others. By mirroring someone's actions, one can create a sense of similarity and rapport, which can make others more open to forming a friendship.

How can nodding while speaking influence the listener's agreement?

Nodding while speaking can create a subconscious cue for the listener to agree with the speaker. According to a study published in the Applied Psychology Journal, this nonverbal cue can increase the likelihood of the listener agreeing with the speaker's points.

What ethical considerations should be taken into account when using psychological tricks?

It is important to use psychological tricks responsibly and ethically, ensuring that they are not manipulative or harmful. As the video mentions, with great power comes great responsibility, so these techniques should be used for good and with the awareness that others may also use them.

What are some practical applications of the psychological tricks mentioned in the video?

The psychological tricks can be applied in various situations such as persuading friends to help with tasks, improving study habits for exams, motivating oneself to align actions with goals, negotiating favors, building rapport in social settings, and enhancing communication skills to gain agreement on certain points.