A Difference of Opinion

Coronavirus Disease 2019

The 7 Best Tactics to Persuade the Vaccine-Hesitant

Jake Teeny Ph.D. on June 23, 2021

As the U.S. approaches its July 4 vaccination goal, here are the best tactics from behavioral research to help persuade those who remain vaccine-hesitant.

As the U.S. approaches its July 4 vaccination goal, here are the best tactics from behavioral research to help persuade those who remain vaccine-hesitant.

Confidence

One of the Most Contagious and Dangerous Attitude Biases

Jake Teeny Ph.D. on January 8, 2021

One of the most dangerous cognitive biases is something we all hold to some degree. However, recent research highlights how this bias can be amplified by the presence of others.

One of the most dangerous cognitive biases is something we all hold to some degree. However, recent research highlights how this bias can be amplified by the presence of others.

Politics

Getting People to Care About Economic Inequality

Andrew Luttrell Ph.D. on December 21, 2020

Wealth inequality in the U.S. is vast, but talking about it makes people defensive. New studies find that shifting attention away from upper-class privilege is more persuasive.

Wealth inequality in the U.S. is vast, but talking about it makes people defensive. New studies find that shifting attention away from upper-class privilege is more persuasive.

Marriage

To Be a Great Gift Giver, Do These 3 Things

Jake Teeny Ph.D. on December 2, 2020

Gift giving is one of the most important yet tricky aspects of social life. Here are three simple ways to ensure your gifts are talked about for years to come.

Gift giving is one of the most important yet tricky aspects of social life. Here are three simple ways to ensure your gifts are talked about for years to come.

Persuasion

To Be Persuasive, Make Just Three Claims

Andrew Luttrell Ph.D. on November 15, 2020

Ads are most persuasive when they make just three claims. Marketing research shows that people grow more skeptical when an ad makes more.

Ads are most persuasive when they make just three claims. Marketing research shows that people grow more skeptical when an ad makes more.

Persuasion

Can Stories Be Persuasive?

Andrew Luttrell Ph.D. on October 21, 2020

New research also shows that our impressions of a communicator depend on whether they tell stories.

New research also shows that our impressions of a communicator depend on whether they tell stories.

Friends

How Much Is Your Presidential Preference Your Own?

Jake Teeny Ph.D. on October 9, 2020

Even if you are uniformly positive or negative toward a political candidate, you might still feel mixed or torn about your preference. Why might this be?

Even if you are uniformly positive or negative toward a political candidate, you might still feel mixed or torn about your preference. Why might this be?

Trust

How Building Trust Can Save Lives

Andrew Luttrell Ph.D. on September 15, 2020

Attempts to combat Ebola in West Africa were thwarted by widespread distrust of government. But one campaign managed to promote public health by building trust and accountability.

Attempts to combat Ebola in West Africa were thwarted by widespread distrust of government. But one campaign managed to promote public health by building trust and accountability.

Bias

Our Biggest Blind Spot

Jake Teeny Ph.D. on September 2, 2020

Could one of your strongest held opinions also be one you had no idea you held? And how might it influence your perception of the world around you?

Could one of your strongest held opinions also be one you had no idea you held? And how might it influence your perception of the world around you?

Coronavirus Disease 2019

Why Do Some People Still Oppose Facemasks?

Jake Teeny Ph.D. on August 3, 2020

Why has the mask-wearing debate continued this long? Why do people continue to resist wearing one? Here's what can you do to better understand and convince others.

Why has the mask-wearing debate continued this long? Why do people continue to resist wearing one? Here's what can you do to better understand and convince others.

Persuasion

The Strength of Moralized Opinions

Andrew Luttrell Ph.D. on July 21, 2020

What happens when people connect their opinions to their core moral beliefs and convictions? Research finds that these moralized opinions can be especially difficult to change.

What happens when people connect their opinions to their core moral beliefs and convictions? Research finds that these moralized opinions can be especially difficult to change.

Cognition

How Can You Believe That?

Jake Teeny Ph.D. on July 6, 2020

It can be difficult to understand why others choose to believe what they do. But one of the first obstacles to understanding is your assumption that they "chose" their beliefs.

It can be difficult to understand why others choose to believe what they do. But one of the first obstacles to understanding is your assumption that they "chose" their beliefs.

Smoking

Why Persuasion Is Personal: The Neuroscience of Influence

Andrew Luttrell Ph.D. on June 20, 2020

What kinds of messages change a person's mind? New research in neuroscience peers into people's brains as they read or watch advertisements.

What kinds of messages change a person's mind? New research in neuroscience peers into people's brains as they read or watch advertisements.

Politics

Consequences and Causes of Riots

Jake Teeny Ph.D. on June 3, 2020

The protests against police brutality have received much scrutiny. How do one's own opinions toward the movement shape how they perceive the protests?

The protests against police brutality have received much scrutiny. How do one's own opinions toward the movement shape how they perceive the protests?

Memory

People Conveniently Forget What Makes Products Unethical

Andrew Luttrell Ph.D. on May 19, 2020

When people learn that a product has unethical qualities, they're more likely to forget those details than if they'd learned about one that's ethically sound.

When people learn that a product has unethical qualities, they're more likely to forget those details than if they'd learned about one that's ethically sound.

Ethics and Morality

Strong Opinions, Weak Proof

Jake Teeny Ph.D. on May 6, 2020

You might be surprised to find that some of our strongest opinions are held without many strong arguments in support of them.

You might be surprised to find that some of our strongest opinions are held without many strong arguments in support of them.

When it comes to convincing people to adopt healthy behaviors, is it better to focus on the behavior's benefits or the dangers of not adopting that behavior?

Anxiety

Too Anxious to Keep Quiet

Jake Teeny Ph.D. on April 5, 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected our daily behaviors more than we could have imagined. But how might it also be affecting our opinions on things and how much we talk about them?

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected our daily behaviors more than we could have imagined. But how might it also be affecting our opinions on things and how much we talk about them?

Cognitive Dissonance

Can New Rules Shape Public Opinion?

Andrew Luttrell Ph.D. on March 16, 2020

You might think you have to change people's opinions to change their behavior. But sometimes rules that affect people's behavior directly can ultimately reshape their opinions.

You might think you have to change people's opinions to change their behavior. But sometimes rules that affect people's behavior directly can ultimately reshape their opinions.

Persuasion

Two Simple Strategies for Persuading Others

Jake Teeny Ph.D. on March 5, 2020

Have you struggled in trying to persuade others? Do people seem to dig in their heels when you present an opposing viewpoint? Check out these two simple persuasion tricks.

Have you struggled in trying to persuade others? Do people seem to dig in their heels when you present an opposing viewpoint? Check out these two simple persuasion tricks.