How To Encourage People To Change Their Own Minds

When a parent wants to change a child's behaviour they might ask them why it is wrong, rather than just telling them it is wrong.


When we're encouraged to take part in role-playing exercises, we might espouse attitudes and values we don't believe in.


When we want to change our behaviour, say, to healthier eating, we might try to convince ourselves we don't like the forbidden foods as much as we do.


We see the same effect for self-confidence. When people are told to present themselves in a self-confident way to others, they actually feel more self-confident themselves.


So if you want someone to persuade themselves, you can try asking them to put aside their own attitude for a moment and try getting them to generate their own arguments for the point you want to make.


http://www.spring.org.uk/2012/05/how-to-encourage-people-to-change-their-own-minds.php