The Power of Persuasion

I was jaw dropped throughout this and felt a little sick. Lets not let the crowd dictate our actions but reason. Even if you think it might be just an angry couple nearby. The other thing that really stuck out with me was the power authority has over people without realizing it. One of his key insights is that no one is impervious; we are all susceptible. Decisive, swift talkers are no more sure of their facts than more hesitant counterparts, but they create an impression of confidence that audiences perceive as more expert and intelligent.

The more jargon you use and the less a jury understands a witness, the more convincing she appears.

The Power of Persuasion: How We're Bought and Sold by Robert V. Levine

To read the transcript of the recording of those hours, and how people just like you and me were rooting for their own demise out of loyalty to a demented and manipulative leader, is to understand how tyranny works, and how it is happening right here, right now. Jul 29, Jessika Malo rated it it was amazing Shelves: I am in awe of this book and could not put it down though I had to take a moment to fathom the depth of the manipulation and persuasion that I was a victim of by the minute.

The way the book is laid out is gradual and I appreciated the last two chapters because they brought the whole book together and back to the first mention of cults and how they work. The second reason is because we need to know the difference in order to build our defenses. I will try to think differently about how I am bei I am in awe of this book and could not put it down though I had to take a moment to fathom the depth of the manipulation and persuasion that I was a victim of by the minute.

I will try to think differently about how I am being led to be a consumerist and how different groups and sometimes peers pressure me into one corner or path. I recommend this book to anybody interested in psychology, business, religion, and teaching; also anybody who wishes to become a more aware person. This is another must read book for anyone interested in critical thinking, any sales person or advertising executive.

After reading this book, your perspective would never be the same. Oct 22, Erik Rostad rated it really liked it Shelves: Good book that teaches you how marketers, salespeople, and even cult leaders use specific tactics of persuasion. The hope is that by identifying these tactics, you'll be less susceptible to falling for them. As Richard Feynman said, "The first principle is that you must not fool yourself — and you are the easiest person to fool.

The Power of Persuasion is a fun, easy read. The author covers ground ranging from sales techniques of MLM brands and car salesmen, of which he actually went out and did for a time, to cults. The author shares a number of interesting anecdotes which helps the book feel less academic. The Stanford Prison Experiment even shows up. Jan 28, Arnab Padhi rated it it was ok. So you can give a try if you have never read a book on consumer behavior or behavioral economics.

The Power of Persuasion: How We're Bought and Sold

Most of the concepts and ideas are can be found in many other books. Isn't the best book on persuasion or human irrationality. Sep 06, Fahad Bin Khalid rated it really liked it. Jan 13, Anjan rated it liked it Shelves: Worth reading parts, skimming parts, and compiling some checklists. Definitely read the step by step guide to selling cars and telling lies. I didn't know much about Jonestown or Moonies, so the cult analysis was informative.

I'd give the book 4 starts but for the misleading bits that require me to spend unproductive effort. The author includes a lot of analogous that read as facts. Comparing his theory to biology is persuasive, but misleading. Ironically, the author is not a fan of misleading p Worth reading parts, skimming parts, and compiling some checklists.

Ironically, the author is not a fan of misleading people. However, I did take quite a few notes. I guess I'm just annoyed about how much work was required to distinguish the good bits from the lesser bits. Didn't expect an exercise in critical thinking. Have you found yourself watching an infomercial about a thingamajig and found yourself thinking, "Hmmm I don't need it, but I want it! We all have been persuaded to do one thing or another at some point in our lives, whether it was something we really wanted to do or something that we were reluctant to do but did it anyway But did you know that there's Have you found yourself watching an infomercial about a thingamajig and found yourself thinking, "Hmmm But did you know that there's a method behind it?

He shares with us the knowledge he gained not only from books, but from his real life experiences professor of psychology, used car salesman, multi-level marketer, etc. The book contains statistics, studies and personal sometimes amusing anecdotes. The first 8 chapters contains the different approaches or techniques used in persuasion. Chapter 9 acts like a "case study" of sorts wherein Levine talks about the Jonestown Incident where he shows what one can achieve through persuasion.

He finishes the book with Chapter 10 containing advice on how to resist the techniques of persuasion, as knowing them is not enough to help you resist. This book is not only meant for the protection of the consumer, but is also great for those in advertising or sales. As stated in the book, the art of persuasion is constantly evolving. Aug 29, Marian Deegan rated it it was amazing.

Levine is a social psychologist who takes us through our own illusion of invulnerability to marketing ploys of all kinds, and then lays bare an array of manipulative techniques used by advertisers, salespeople, and cults. Whether you want to hone your own powers of persuasion, or arm yourself against the hordes of persuaders in our midst, this book is packed with solid documentation and engagingly presented information. Feb 28, Philski rated it liked it. It was good and stands on its own but I found Robert Cialdini's "Influence: A decent book but if you could only read one I'd suggest Cialdini's.

Then again, Cialdini's is just an anchor point from which I'm evaluating Levine's Dec 06, Tyler rated it it was amazing. I've been trying to find good info on cults and how they attract others and this is one of the best I've read that really breaks it down. It also tells you why you hate car salesmen. It gives you the specific steps involved which can influence you.

Read this with Willpower: Rediscovering the Greatest Human Strength and you'll really know how to get out of some situations that you may regret later. Apr 12, Jeremy rated it really liked it. So if that's what you're looking for, then this is a good stop. But my overall favorite books have more an emotional appeal, too. I find this kind of psychology fascinating, and he highlights several very interesting facts and studies. He knows his material well, but the book is easily readable for non-psych students like me.

By contrast as I thumbed through other similar-looking bo Absolutely loved it. By contrast as I thumbed through other similar-looking books at the bookstore, they seemed to be thesis projects or textbook material. I went straight to the last two chapters, ch 9 on Jonestown was fascinating. Ch 10 on the art of mental self defense was a bit disappointing. Levine makes a big point that many people feel invulnerable to advertising and other forms of persuasion, but that this is often self-deception. When we feel most comfortable we are most vulnerable.

Aug 07, Tim Calkins rated it it was amazing. This is a terrific look at how people persuade others.

The Power of Persuasion

If you have ever wondered exactly what was going on when the salesperson at a car dealership ran off to talk to his manager, well, this book clues you in. This is a wonderful and somewhat scary book. How do professional persuaders salespeople, politicians, cult leaders, etc. What aspects of human psychology make us vulnerable to such techniques, and how can we resist them?

Jun 03, Maria rated it really liked it Shelves: Excellent book on the ways we are manipulated through advertising, marketing, and charismatic figures. Written with wit and self-effacing humor. Highly recommended for all consumers. Aug 15, Pat rated it really liked it. That example is precisely the one I'd decided to mention to you.

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Levine uses ten pages to detail this nine-step process. It's a terrific, practical example of getting the customer to make a series of small commitments that greatly increase the likelihood of a sale. You'll get enough info about each step and the overall process to adapt to your sales system to the extent you want. Most of us will choose to borrow parts of this and other processes you read about.

One reason is that this particular process included unsavory steps. Sure, it will take some work and thinking on your part to improve your sales process. That's part of customizing sales systems so they work best for you. Mike now uses the same process of gradually increasing commitments to help these troubled youngsters make healthy changes in their lives. What a great story. And illustration of how we can effectively adapt persuasion tools to create either sleazy or healthy results. Once we have the information One of my favorite books on persuasion.

Kindle Edition Verified Purchase. Too many examples from that book also appear here. If you haven't read 'Influence', however, you are likely to enjoy "The Power of Persuasion" much more than I did. In either case, you can consider this book as an investment, since you won't be an easy prey for advertisement manipulations anymore. And if you think you are not gullible to ad claims, you are the perfect victim and should definitely read either book. This book surprised me at how good it was.

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It changed my whole perception on marketing and sales. In Levine's superb book, he helps the reader arm him- or herself with knowledge of some of the strategies and tactics purveyors of all sorts of things - from consumer goods to salvation - use against those of us who assume we're walking into such situations evenly matched. As someone who has spent his career in corporate procurement and who wrote his thesis on advertising I can attest that Levine is spot on with his cautionary analyses. Read this book carefully and pass it along to others, especially the young who may not have built up their defenses against some of the tactics described herein.

If nothing else, at least you will recognize what game is being played with you when it happens. See all 31 reviews. Amazon Giveaway allows you to run promotional giveaways in order to create buzz, reward your audience, and attract new followers and customers. Learn more about Amazon Giveaway. How We're Bought and Sold. Set up a giveaway. Customers who viewed this item also viewed. The Psychology of Persuasion, Revised Edition. There's a problem loading this menu right now.

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