6 papers on social influence and persuasion
When I studied at Oxford, I focused on social influence and persuasion. Here are 6 papers I wrote that cover theoretical and applied persuasion. Disclaimer: Some get a little technical, but there's still fun cocktail-party stuff to read. These papers were written between 9/2002 and 12/2002.
- When do attitudes predict behavior? A Review of Relevant Models and Limitations of the Attitude-behavioral Link. A largely theoretical discussion of when and how attitudes cause behavior.
- How Can Behavior Predict, Cause, and Change Attitudes? Most people believe that attitudes--> behavior, but few realize that we also infer attitudes from our own behaviors. Here's how.
- Towards an Understanding of Dual-process Models: Implications for Persuasive Communicators. Though you might not believe it from the pedantic title, this paper is actually discusses certain applied factors persuasive communicators must be aware of to be effective.
- Thought Paper: Minority and Majority Influence. A very rough outline of minority and majority influence, this is basically meaningless unless you know the research.
- Can a Riot Be Rational? An Investigation of Competing Theories and Experimental Evidence. What actually happens in a riot? What does research tell us about how group processes work? Can they be controlled? An applied look at riots and the rationality of participating group members.
- Can We Reduce Prejudice? An Applied Integration of Persuasion Principles. I discuss the research of prejudice and suggest applied ways to optimally reduce prejudice. The results are promising.
If you're interested in persuasion, social influence, bargaining, and negotiation, you might also be interested in my research at the Stanford Persuasive Technology Lab.
Gay Marriage: An Ethical Analysis
How do we consider gay marriage from a reasoned ethical perspective? After weighing both sides' arguments and interests, I find no persuasive reason to prevent gay marriage.
Talk to Me
A Comprehensive Examination of Instant Messaging in the Workplace.
This 2002 research paper examines instant messaging in organization. Is it an important factor to consider? (Yes.) What issues does it raise for employees and managers? Here I describe the landscape of the instant messaging to help understand how IM can be a useful tool to employers and employees. 8/2002
Idealized Education
The Failure of Computers in K-12 Schools.
The push for increased technology "integration" into K-12 schools, largely orchestrated by computer companies and school administrators, has been a dramatic failure of resources. This proposal explores the effectiveness of computers and makes several clear recommendations for better educational policy. 6/2001
Kidnapping of the Mind
The Stockholm Syndrome Examined.
Why do some hostages side with their captors? Why do battered wives identify with their husbands, even after consistent, repeated abuse? Here I explore the processes that govern thought and behavior in such crisis situations. 6/2001
Gladiatorial Battles Examined
A Comparison of Ridley Scott's Gladiator and Ancient Literary Sources and Interpretations.
How accurate was Ridley Scott's 2000 film Gladiator? This paper examines the portrayal of gladiatorial battle in the film versus ancient Rome, as available through ancient sources and contemporary interpretations. 5/2001
The Engagement Space and Gestural Coordination.
I was a research assistant for Satinder Gill (with Sarah Martin) in 2001, during which time we studied human communication and gestures in the iRoom. We found some surprising results and published them in the Proceedings of ORAGE 2001: Oralite and Gestualite. [Gill, S.P., Sethi, R., Martin, S. (2001). The Engagement Space and Gestural Coordination. ORAGE 2001: Oralite and Gestualite.] 4/2001