
3 subtle persuasion techniques
- Selecting certain words over others in their carefully crafted messages.
- By phrasing questions in such a way that they elicit a specific response.
Example
Consider the following situation: someone you know plays the guitar in a rock band. He parties hard, hangs out with some unsavory people and is rarely home with his family. How would you describe him?- Reckless
- Free-spirited
- Talented
The words you choose to describe someone not only says something about him, it also says something about what you think of him.

Unmasking What’s Behind that Wording
By using subtle persuasion techniques manipulators can sway your opinion in the direction they want, often with you not ever realizing they did that. But here is some good news: just like knowing how a magician did a stage trick ruins the illusion, knowing what these subtle persuasion techniques are and how they operate on you cancels their effect on you! So, as a critical thinker you must learn how words can influence you so you can avoid being manipulated, because the antidote is knowing how the stage trick is performed. If you recognize the persuasion techniques, they lose their power. Let’s examine the following three subtle persuasion techniques:- Replacing a negative or disagreeable expression by a gentler or more positive one
- Replacing a positive or gentle expression by a more negative or disagreeable one
- Asking biased questions
As critical thinkers you must learn how words can influence you so you can avoid being manipulated.
1. Replacing a negative or disagreeable expression by a gentler or more positive one
In this scenario you attempt to diminish the potentially negative impact of something you say by expressing it in milder or more positive language. This is known as a euphemism, and it happens to be the most common of the subtle persuasion techniques. We all use euphemisms from time to time, and it does not necessarily mean we have bad intentions. Often, we are just trying to be polite. But they can also be used to manipulate, and indeed they often are. For example, there are many ways to say that someone is fat. The term is neutral in that it simply conveys the meaning of being overweight. The word does not imply a value judgement. Yet, often we use softer terms to describe the same thing:- Plus-size
- Curvy
- Heavy
- Big-boned
- Portly
2. Replacing a positive or gentle expression by a more negative or disagreeable one
Just like you can use a positive expression to mask what you might perceive to be a negative one, you can sometimes do just the opposite and replace a neutral or positive expression with a negative. A negative or unpleasant expression is called a dysphemism. For example, you may choose to veer towards the offensive when deciding not to use the word fat:- Greedy hog
- Chunky
- Heavy set
- Well-upholstered
Euphemisms and dysphemisms are a type of verbal deception commonly employed by politicians or advertisers as a form of spin.
3. Asking Biased Questions
The third subtle persuasion technique we’ll examine here is that of biased questions. These types of questions are commonly used by political organizations, advertisers and others with an agenda who may use them with the intention of eliciting specific results. Someone bent on influencing your views may implant a thought or steer you in a particular direction by asking you a biased question, with the expectation that you will answer in a certain way. That answer tends to reinforce the concept the questioner intended, and thus ends up influencing you. Imagine you are presented with a survey about the feminist movement. The survey has many questions, but two in particular catch your eye:- Do you support the feminist movement position that women should be able to take men’s jobs?
- Do you think the feminist movement should encourage women to work outside the home and neglect their children?


DON’T LET PEOPLE INFLUENCE YOU WITHOUT YOU EVEN REALIZING!
Enter your information to get our FREE practice exercises so you can train yourself to recognize subtle persuasion techniques.
- They are negatively prejudiced with the intention of pressuring us to answer in a certain way.
- They associate feminist movement to negative terms such as neglect and take.
Biased questions are commonly used by political organizations, advertisers and others with an agenda who may use them with the intention of eliciting specific results.
- Do you support the feminist movement position that women should be able to add new perspectives and talent to the workforce?
- Do you think the feminist movement should encourage women to join the workforce and potentially create new business opportunities for everyone?
- Do you think all jobs should be open to men and women?
- Do you think women should be encouraged to join the workforce?
Beware of these persuasion techniques
I n conclusion, in normal discourse you are typically faced with the use of various persuasion techniques such as euphemisms, dysphemisms and biased questions. You must be alert and recognize them for what they are, because the consequence of not doing so is you’ll be manipulated. Euphemisms are used to replace negative expressions or concepts with positive or less harsh ones. Dysphemisms do the opposite: they replace positive or neutral expressions with negative ones. Biased questions are meant to elicit a specific type of response and thus make it very hard for you to answer fairly. In so doing they steer you in a direction you might not agree with, and influences your thoughts and actions. Recognizing these subtle persuasion techniques will help you avoid being manipulated because once you know how the trick is done the magic is gone. You should always think critically and independently. It’s very important you always arrive at your own conclusions and you recognize when people try to influence your thoughts or actions.
DON’T LET PEOPLE INFLUENCE YOU WITHOUT YOU EVEN REALIZING!
Enter your information to get our FREE practice exercises so you can train yourself to recognize subtle persuasion techniques.
0 Comments