In my Social Psychology class, we discuss various ways in which people try to influence each other to change their behaviors. Part of that discussion reviews the major techniques used by various salesmen. You may have heard of the “foot in the door technique.” There is also the “door in the face technique,” the “bait and switch technique,” and the “that’s not all technique.” All of them unique and relatively effective in getting people to change their minds and/or behaviors.One other is called the “lowball technique.” This involves getting a person to make a commitment to something. And it is only after you have gotten a commitment from someone that you then start to fully give them the implications of and downsides to their commitment.
Some people are better salesmen than others. I’m thinking my wife may have missed her calling, because she has got the lowball technique down pat. Here’s a perfect example of it from my household this week. The following conversation regarding Vacation Bible School at our church is close to bordering on being sort of true.
TUESDAY
Shanda: I may need you to help me at VBS just a little bit on Saturday.
Aaron: Um, OK.
WEDNESDAY
Shanda: By the way, on Saturday I need you to play a small part in a skit. You’ll be a sergeant.
Aaron: Well, OK. I guess that’s OK.
THURSDAY
Shanda: By the way, the skit on Saturday is set during Bible times. You’ll need to wear one of those old Bible-time costumes.
Aaron: What?! You didn’t tell me about that. I don’t want to wear one of those silly costumes. I’ll feel ridiculous.
FRIDAY
Shanda: By the way, your sergeant part is basically a Gomer Pyle type of character. You’ll have to act pretty nerdy, but that’s OK because you are naturally pretty nerdy anyway.
Aaron: Oh, come on!! You have GOT to be kidding me!
Oh well, I can't complain too much. It IS for VBS after all. Anything for the kids.
AN
Posts
9 comments:
You were set up. This is an outrage.
Don't trip on your man-dress gomer! ;)
you have me laughing.....but hey you've been married almost 12 years...you should know better by now! Gotta love her approach though!
All I have to say is....better you than me or Jenni! (And you know those were the choices....)
I'm glad to see you put your foot down!!.....on the path to the ward robe closet.
I call this kind of stuff Marital Compromise: She wants a cat, I want a dog, so we compromise and get a cat.
great post. i think this is technique how i eventually ended up in the ministry.
New, VBS is pure evil. Nothing can be better than watching your church turn into a Juvenile Detention Center for a week.
An Unreleased Lady GaGa Hit was Unwrapped this evening with no traces of where it came from.
Some say that it was leaked from GaGa's Record Label's headquarters.
More info at http://ladygagaunreleased.blogspot.com
Free Download of the single at http://tinyurl.com/gagaunreleased
Took me time to read the whole article, the article is great but the comments bring more brainstorm ideas, thanks.
- Johnson
Post a Comment