If you want to see the research behind these ideas check out the following posts:
The Power of Influence, Persuasion, and Motivation
Psychology Recommended Reading List
Archives For influence
You don’t need to be a learning theorist to understand the power of role modelling. All you need to do is observe children or in this instance a couple of brothers to see how a younger brother strives to model or imitate what his older brother is doing. Every time I look at this picture I flashback to a time when I can hear my younger son’s first phrase “Me Too” because he wanted to do what his older brother was doing. In this picture, his older brother was observing construction workers who were on a break and leaning up against their vehicles or shovels. No one has to teach these boys how to imitate what they saw, it is just part of their human nature.
This is a powerful learning tool that we too quickly forget about or simply ignore in our systems of education. If there is one positive thing we can take away from Facebook, Instagram and other social media is the fact that we never really grow out of wanting to be like someone else that we admire or that has influence.
The power of Me Too is everywhere and we would be well advised to leverage this power in our learning environments. This is just one more example that confirms that values, beliefs, and norms are caught not taught.
In the past several weeks/months I have had many meetings where I have mentioned the notion of reciprocity, persuasion, and influence. If you are interested in exploring how we actually make decisions you will want to explore the following post Science Of Persuasion – We Aren’t as Rational As We Think We Are where I point to several top thinkers who summarize their ideas in videos.
The following are a list of books I often mention:
Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion by Robert Cialdini
This a classic book on persuasion that explains the psychology of why people say “yes”—and how to apply these insights in a variety of settings. If you were to read only one book on this topic I would recommend this one. If you don’t have time to read this book then you must watch Robert Cialdini – Science Of Persuasion Big Think video which provides a wonderful overview for the book and highlights the 6 key factors in persuasion.
Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman
This is the 2011 best selling book by Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences laureate Daniel Kahneman offers psychological, behavioral, and economic insights based on actual research that will make you a better thinker and decision-maker. Great ideas but not as easy to read and understand at Cialdini’s work.
Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World by David Epstein
Epstein explains why specialized knowledge is so limiting and why people who have more general or broader knowledge are able to do so much more. Caution – Epstein is a reporter/investigative journalist so while his book is well written and a very enjoyable read it isn’t as academically rigorous as Cialdini’s and Kahnamen’s books which are based on years of research.
This list wouldn’t be complete without pointing to the classic video RSA Animate – Drive: The surprising truth about what motivates us and the book that this video is based on:
Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us by Daniel H. Pink
While you are on my site you may want to check out my recommended reading list – https://www.harapnuik.org/?page_id=8200 where you will find above books listed.
As an added bonus you may also want to explore the posts:
Why great teachers aim for influence not control
How to Foster Intrinsic Motivation
When people need motivation not information…
The Myth of Average: Todd Rose
