I made a post a while back about “liking” being a key to social influence. This short series will tell you how to pull that off.

Read about the study here.

A brilliant move by one company was introducing Tupperware parties. It was like a giant infomercial, but instead of a loud person with a peculiar voice its your dear neighbour, mother, friend. 

People who feel comfortable, and who are generally having a good time are easier to influence than if you go in “dry”

Right but how can I use this?

By making your time scarce. If all you can offer is 5 minutes, suddenly your conversational partner will be pressured into sticking to essentials. This is especially effective if you state the scarcity of your time before they say anything.

This was shown in a study where people were asked about how confident they were that the horse they bet on would win.

The range before the bet was placed went from fairly to very certain.

However, people claimed full confidence in their horse once the ticket was in hand.

Try watching a sitcom without a laugh track. Go on.

Think of folks who wipe the windshield of your car. Why are you shouting NO NO NO DON’T DO IT BLOODY HELL STOP?

It’s hardwired, somehow, if someone does something for us, there’s an internal push to reciprocate. Basically, if you want something, give something.

NOTE: It should be common sense, but I feel I have to say it

This does not apply if your lie is ridiculous and outrageous. People will definitely notice it then.

MH

The point is to talk to your target about “cool ways to spot liars!” which are completely fake, but plausible. Tell them that liars look over a person’s left shoulder, or that they tend to stand with their feet together. Make it seem convincing. 

Now in the same way that you become more aware of your food choices (shortly) after watching a television special on nutrition, that person will be on the lookout for those signs. This means that when you tell your lie, say the next day, they will be on the lookout for all the wrong things. An added bonus is that they will likely not suspect the person that told them the tricks to be lying. 

MH

For example, if you wish to use “I had to drive my sister to the airport” as an excuse for an event you missed, try inventing other ways the invented situation impacted your life. You could tell a coworker, someone completely unrelated and to whom the lie has no importance, that the cake you ate at lunch was a “thank you” from your sister for having picked her up. 

Adding these dimensions allows you to believe your own lie more easily, and consequently you will give off much fewer signs that you are.

MH

Some reports express being a completely different person with different stories according to the individual they are in contact with. This is an incredible mental strain since it requires remembering and organising life events and personas. They are often found out because they slip up a story, or tell one too large for others to believe. Keep in mind that they are, in general, no smarter than the average, and take on a very challenging task. 

MH

Though not officially a mental illness, it is often an indicator of other underlying psychological problems. 

Up next: the “double-consciousness” of the pathological liar.

MH