Communication Archives

The Psychology of In-Group, Out-Group Bias

What is the in-group, out-group bias? Why do we prioritize people who belong to our in-group? In-group, out-group bias is the tendency to favor and give preferential treatment to members of the same group. By categorizing yourself as a member of a group, you make that membership part of your identity and thus focus on its positive traits. Here’s why people tend to prioritize their in-group, according to Rolf Dobelli, the author of The Art of Thinking Clearly.

How to Use Logos in a Persuasive Argument

What is logos in the context of persuasion? How do you use logos in a persuasive argument? Logos, in terms of a persuasive argument, is appealing to the audience’s logic or reason. Jay Heinrichs, the author of Thank You for Arguing, outlines four steps for using logos to your advantage. Here’s how to use logos in a persuasive argument.

The 3 Elements of Ethos: Persuasion Basics

What is ethos in the context of persuasion? How can you use the three elements of ethos to make a persuasive argument? Ethos is used in persuasive arguments to establish trustworthiness and credibility as a speaker or writer. There are three essential elements to developing ethos: virtue, personal disinterest, and practical wisdom. Keep reading to learn about the three building blocks of ethos and how to use them in a persuasive argument.

Reciprocity: The Psychology of Giving Back

What is the psychology behind reciprocity? Why do we feel the need to reciprocate benevolent behavior? In social psychology, reciprocity is the tendency to return a favor or a benevolent action with another benevolent action. According to Rolf Dobelli, the author of The Art of Thinking Clearly, this phenomenon is a by-product of the human need to belong to a group. Keep reading to learn about the phenomenon of reciprocity, why it occurs, and how it’s used as a tool for manipulation.

Persuasive Argument: What It Is and How to Build One

What is a persuasive argument? What are the key building blocks of an argument that is meant to persuade? A persuasive argument consists of three steps: choosing a goal, choosing a tense, and choosing an appeal. In a persuasive argument, you’ll typically use Aristotle’s three classical persuasive appeals—ethos, logos, and pathos—to achieve your goal. Continue below to learn how to construct a persuasive argument.

Jay Heinrichs: Thank You for Arguing—Book Overview

What is Jay Heinrichs’s Thank You for Arguing about? What is the key message to take away from the book? In his book Thank You for Arguing, Jay Heinrichs explains not only how to persuade people to do what you want, but also how to help opposing groups find common ground, get a bully to talk himself down, and spot the faulty logic others use to manipulate you. He also discusses the importance of teaching rhetoric in schools. Here’s a brief overview of the key themes.

The 2 Keys to Building Emotional Intimacy

How do you understand intimacy? What’s the key to building emotional intimacy? Humans have defined intimacy differently across cultures and time, and there’s no overarching definition. In their book The Art of Happiness, Cutler and the Dalai Lama propose that an intimate relationship is one in which you’re open with the other person and experience a connection. Keep reading to learn about the two keys to building emotional intimacy: compassion and a solid foundation.

The Importance of Acknowledgment in Communication

What role does acknowledgment play in communication? How do you acknowledge the speaker’s message without interrupting their turn to speak? Acknowledgment is an extremely important part of human communication, and it’s one that we often overlook. Recent research in the field of linguistics has put renewed focus on “backchannels,” a listener’s short interjections that acknowledge a speaker’s message without ending their turn to speak. Here is why acknowledgment is the key to smooth communication.

Listening to Customers Increases Sales: Here’s How

How important is listening in the sales process? How might you become a better listener? According to The Sales Bible, listening to customers is probably the most important part of sales. However, many salespeople don’t understand this. Most people are actually pretty poor listeners. Author Jeffrey Gitomer offers three tips to help you become better at listening. Read more for insights on listening to customers.

How to Deal With Rejection: Try This Strategy

How do you deal with rejection? Are you the type of person who keeps trying or gives up hope and moves on? Getting rejected is painful but it’s not always the end-all-be-all—sometimes it may be worth it to keep trying. In their book Algorithms to Live By, Christian and Griffiths suggest using the so-called “Exponential Backoff” algorithm to handle rejection without totally giving up hope. Here is how the “Exponential Backoff” algorithm can help you deal with rejection.