Persuasion, Bias, and Choice

Persuasion

How to Create Feelings of Unity in Life, Work, and Politics

Jeremy Nicholson M.S.W., Ph.D. on July 16, 2024

We live in a tense and polarized world, especially on issues that impact politics and daily life. How can we "lower the temperature" and reconnect? Social influence has an answer.

We live in a tense and polarized world, especially on issues that impact politics and daily life. How can we "lower the temperature" and reconnect? Social influence has an answer.

Motivation

Expectancy: Why Business and Personal Interactions Fail

Jeremy Nicholson M.S.W., Ph.D. on May 28, 2024

How do expectations and motivations lead to successful relationship interactions, in both work and life? Learn about the 60-year-old theory that helps explain it all here.

How do expectations and motivations lead to successful relationship interactions, in both work and life? Learn about the 60-year-old theory that helps explain it all here.

Relationships

Should You Cheat, Cooperate, or Reciprocate?

Jeremy Nicholson M.S.W., Ph.D. on February 26, 2024

Should you act in your own best interest for a larger gain, or trust and cooperate in a relationship for a mutual reward instead? Game theory has the answer.

Should you act in your own best interest for a larger gain, or trust and cooperate in a relationship for a mutual reward instead? Game theory has the answer.

Fear

Fear of Missing Out (FOMO): Some Causes and Solutions

Jeremy Nicholson M.S.W., Ph.D. on December 5, 2023

Fear of missing out (FOMO) on rewarding experiences with others is a growing problem, even as social media connects us more daily. Why?

Fear of missing out (FOMO) on rewarding experiences with others is a growing problem, even as social media connects us more daily. Why?

Trust

4 Tips to Manage Relationships with Unequal Power

Jeremy Nicholson M.S.W., Ph.D. on May 26, 2023

We are often uncomfortable with unequal relationships. New research suggests there might be good reason for those feelings—and how to manage such situations when they do arise.

We are often uncomfortable with unequal relationships. New research suggests there might be good reason for those feelings—and how to manage such situations when they do arise.

Relationships

3 Ways to Avoid Bad Decisions

Jeremy Nicholson M.S.W., Ph.D. on February 23, 2023

Evaluating our lives honestly is difficult, but identifying our blind spots is important to make good decisions in love and life. Research shows the problem and steps to help.

Evaluating our lives honestly is difficult, but identifying our blind spots is important to make good decisions in love and life. Research shows the problem and steps to help.

Persuasion

Using Arousal and Excitement to Persuade and Influence

Jeremy Nicholson M.S.W., Ph.D. on September 26, 2022

Can arousal and excitement be used to persuade in the boardroom, living room, and bedroom? Find out how to use the flutter of exhilaration to your benefit.

Can arousal and excitement be used to persuade in the boardroom, living room, and bedroom? Find out how to use the flutter of exhilaration to your benefit.

Relationships

What Jordan Peterson Overlooks About Ideology and Power

Jeremy Nicholson M.S.W., Ph.D. on May 4, 2022

Is a woke perspective beneficial, or, as Peterson suggests, does it lead to chaos?

Is a woke perspective beneficial, or, as Peterson suggests, does it lead to chaos?

Leadership

Motivation for Power: Why Do People Want to Be in Charge?

Jeremy Nicholson M.S.W., Ph.D. on December 8, 2021

Different motivations toward power and leadership can result in cooperation and self-determination, or corruption and misery, for both the leader and followers.

Different motivations toward power and leadership can result in cooperation and self-determination, or corruption and misery, for both the leader and followers.

Decision-Making

3 Modern Problem-Solving Tips From Evolutionary History

Jeremy Nicholson M.S.W., Ph.D. on November 8, 2021

Principles from "A Hunter-Gatherer's Guide to The 21st Century" for adapting to our contemporary world and making smarter decisions—especially in health, love, and life.

Principles from "A Hunter-Gatherer's Guide to The 21st Century" for adapting to our contemporary world and making smarter decisions—especially in health, love, and life.

Persuasion

Which Types of Power and Influence Help or Hurt Others?

Jeremy Nicholson M.S.W., Ph.D. on September 15, 2021

We influence others and are influenced by them every day. What approaches should we use to help, rather than hurt, ourselves and others?

We influence others and are influenced by them every day. What approaches should we use to help, rather than hurt, ourselves and others?

Persuasion

Using Positive Reinforcement to Influence the Behavior of Others

Jeremy Nicholson M.S.W., Ph.D. on June 14, 2021

How can you change the behavior of a coworker, friend, or family member, while still maintaining a positive relationship with them? Behavior modification provides an answer.

How can you change the behavior of a coworker, friend, or family member, while still maintaining a positive relationship with them? Behavior modification provides an answer.

Behavioral Economics

Is Everything We Know About (Behavioral) Economics Wrong?

Jeremy Nicholson M.S.W., Ph.D. on December 17, 2020

What is ergodicity? Why is it important for you? How does it impact both the theory and practice of everyday decision-making? Find out more here.

What is ergodicity? Why is it important for you? How does it impact both the theory and practice of everyday decision-making? Find out more here.

Identity

Using the Need for Consistency to Create Greater Commitment

Jeremy Nicholson M.S.W., Ph.D. on September 25, 2020

A need for consistency often motivates people to make and keep commitments. Find out who has this need—and how to use it to persuade them to commit too.

A need for consistency often motivates people to make and keep commitments. Find out who has this need—and how to use it to persuade them to commit too.

Bias

Status Quo Bias: Why Things Feel Stuck Sometimes

Jeremy Nicholson M.S.W., Ph.D. on June 22, 2020

Why does life sometimes become stuck and repetitive? Why are people (and the systems they create) often slow to change? Research offers a reason.

Why does life sometimes become stuck and repetitive? Why are people (and the systems they create) often slow to change? Research offers a reason.

Friends

How to Make and Keep Resolutions for the Holidays and Beyond

Jeremy Nicholson M.S.W., Ph.D. on December 23, 2019

Learn how the Theory of Planned Behavior can help you make better resolutions—and stick with them through the holidays, in the new year, and beyond!

Learn how the Theory of Planned Behavior can help you make better resolutions—and stick with them through the holidays, in the new year, and beyond!

Persuasion

4 Steps for Using Social Norms to Persuade and Influence

Jeremy Nicholson M.S.W., Ph.D. on June 29, 2019

How can social norms and popular opinions help persuade others to chage their attitudes and behaviors? Read what research has to say here...

How can social norms and popular opinions help persuade others to chage their attitudes and behaviors? Read what research has to say here...

Conformity

Should You Do What Everyone Else Is Doing?

Jeremy Nicholson M.S.W., Ph.D. on March 31, 2019

Find out why we look to others and follow the crowd when making a decision — and when we should go it alone or make up our own mind instead.

Find out why we look to others and follow the crowd when making a decision — and when we should go it alone or make up our own mind instead.

Persuasion

4 Ways to Use Scarcity to Persuade and Influence

Jeremy Nicholson M.S.W., Ph.D. on December 31, 2018

Why is scarcity so persuasive? Can you really make something more desirable just by getting others to believe it is in limited supply—or in high demand?

Why is scarcity so persuasive? Can you really make something more desirable just by getting others to believe it is in limited supply—or in high demand?

Decision-Making

How a Change of Perspective Can Improve Your Decisions

Jeremy Nicholson M.S.W., Ph.D. on December 31, 2018

How does your point of view impact your important choices? Can being too focused on gaining or losing lead you to bad decisions? Find out what the research says here.

How does your point of view impact your important choices? Can being too focused on gaining or losing lead you to bad decisions? Find out what the research says here.