Influence: The psychology of persuasion

Description

Dr. Robert Cialdini is one of the world’s top experts on the psychology of influence. His books have sold over 5 million copies in 41 languages. He’s also Professor of Psychology and Marketing at Arizona State University.

Cialdini’s writing relies on a vast amount of scientific research. He also does what could be called investigative research. For this book, he went undercover for 3 years to investigate how the principles of influence are used in the real world by sales organizations, advertisers and fund raisers.

One Goodreads reviewer said this book is “dangerous knowledge” because it shows how people are often misinformed and manipulated. That may be true, but I think it’s better for more people to be aware of these “weapons of influence” than continue living in the dark. (Lucio of ThePowerMoves made a list of other so-called dark psychology books, fascinating stuff.)