Marwell & Schmitt's Influence Tactics

When I first read Marwell and Schmitt's tactics, my mind immediately went to a hot topic. Child vaccinations. As you can imagine, I found several speeches that used several of these tactics such as claims of punishments or protections offered if you follow the speakers admonitions. Before I got too far with this topic, my mind went to a commencement speech I had heard from an Admiral in the US Navy and how I have been doing something he suggested since I heard his speech the first time.

Admiral McRaven firmly believes that a single person can indeed change the world by the performance of some simple tasks. He offers his top 10 things he learned in basic seal training that he promised if followed would better one's own life and the lives of many others and possibly even CHANGE THE WORLD. He draws parallels from what he learned in training to how it can help you in your life. His first was very simple - Make your bed each morning. He stats that although simple, if you make your bed each morning, you will have already accomplished the first task of the day that will give you a small sense of pride and encourage you to do another task. This small task will lead to the completion of another task, then another, then another. He believes that if you can't even do a small task such as making your bed, you will never be able to accomplish bigger tasks. If nothing else, if you have had a miserable day, you will come home to a bed that is made.

He then continues with other admonitions tied to his experiences like find someone to help you, judge someone by the size of their heart, life isn't fair, adversity makes you stronger, confront challenges head on, etc... It was the first one that struck a cord with me. One, because we rarely  make our bed in the morning, and two, because it was so unique and not a piece of advice you often hear that could have a huge impact on your life. I have actually started to make our bed in the morning more often since I first heard the speech and I have to say, it has been nice. Whether or not it is changing the world, that remains to be seen.

It would seem that almost all of the tactics could be used when speaking of being under the direction of a drill Sargent such as aversive stimulation.The Admiral definitely uses the tactics of reward, punishment, positive expertise and positive self-feeling. He states what he believes are the rewards and punishments from following or not following both his and a drill Sargent's admonitions. Positive expertise because he has been through this training and knows what can come from doing or not doing certain things. Finally, you will have positive self-feeling if you do a simple task each day like make your bed.

For me, the third process premise of attitudes is at work here. He talked about challenges as he linked real-life situations to that of tough seal training. The way we confront our challenges and tackle them head on has everything to do with the outcome. Those with the wrong or bad attitude never made it through seal training. I would also contend that the fourth process of consistency is at work here.

Out of Class Hip Pocket - "Heroes"

There has been much in the news lately about what makes a hero and what and who we should regard as a hero. I have my heroes. They are heroes to me for different reasons. Some of them have been a personal influence in my life, others have done extraordinary things I could only dream of. This concept of what a hero or a role model is differs for everyone. In my speech, I asked the audience to imagine they are a group of graduating middle school students about to start high school.

I began by introducing the facts about how American history is being taught in the school system today. I asked them to consider how they felt when I mentioned things like; D-Day, Korea, Vietnam, Nazis, Desert Storm, The Gulf War, and even, 9/11. I submitted to the audience that as they go on with their adolescent lives, it is important to have a knowledge and gain an appreciation for these events in American History. And finally, I attempted to persuade them that as they seek out role-models and heroes whom to pattern their lives after - to consider veterans and American service men and women. Many of these individuals, especially modern day soldiers are there because they choose to be. The have enlisted on their own. While all of these individuals may not be perfect, and they may have their flaws just like everyone else, they have mad the choice to defend our freedoms and liberate others from tyranny around the globe.

I had this speech planned well before my final persuasion speech given in class. Sadly, these two speeches ended up being too much alike. I wish I would have done something a little more entertaining and enjoyable for my audience. None the less, this morning at work, I had a captive audience as we had a small staff meeting. I chose to take advantage of this setting to introduce and give my speech.


My office consists of 5 females and 8 men ranging in ages from 23 to 84. We are mostly like-minded individuals. A majority of us share the same religious belief which we practice to different degrees. As you know, you spend most of your time with those we work with. I chose to give my speech in this setting because I thought it would make it easier as I am already very comfortable around every individual that was present. Boy was I mistaken.

I was able to use some integrative images and facts to illustrate my points but the projection system was somewhat antiquated compared to that in the classroom. I perceived that due to the laid-back nature of my relationships with my co-workers, my performance rubrics would come back very favorable. For the most part, they did. I used the exact rubric that we used for our speeches in class. As I practiced for earlier speeches on my co-workers, I told them I was unable to self check. With this in mind, they were ultra picky on this issue - I blame the antiquated projector. My speech was somewhat superficial and did not contain a ton of poignant research defending my claims. I thought it would be very difficult to offer up a serious speech to a group of my peers and maintain a good tone, rate, speed and pitch. This was, however a positive point on many of the evaluations. They saw a new side of me today. Two areas that I can improve on are my transitions from one point to the next and my confidence as I present. Some how I need to be more comfortable and not become nervous as I speak in front of others.

While I wish I would have chosen a more appropriate topic for my particular audience and not had to have them pretend they are something else, this exercise helped stretch me in ways that the in class speeches could not. I had so much anxiety going into this class. Some of those anxieties still exist but I will always be grateful for the experience this class has afforded me. I am glad it gave me to get an opportunity to get a few more public presentations under my belt.

Reich's Cultural Parables

Reich's cultural parables are somewhat similar to Larsen's myths. Reich reminds us that anyone can become anything, that we tend to rise above and become better after a challenge, or that America is great and the American dream is alive and well. Reich's parables however, come with a warning that these 'blessings' can turn good men bad. Power can be abused, challenges can bring the ugly out in an individual or community, and perhaps America is not the great cultural beacon she claims to be.

In 2005, we witnessed some miraculous flooding here in St. George. I never thought I simply wouldn't be able to get home due to a flood in St. George one day. But, that is exactly what happened. We all know how serious the flooding was and the damage it caused. I along with many others was able to join in the clean up effort by filling and placing sand bags. My father owned a restaurant and decided to give free food to those aiding in the effort as well. I could go on and on about people who contributed time, money and resources as our community came together to help those in need. What many of us did not know however was what was going on behind the scenes in the planning and implementing of the clean up effort. St. George was declared a disaster area and was able to receive federal aid. But how were those decisions made? Who made them? For most of us, we were just happy to serve and knew something had to be done. When disaster strikes, you act. Simple as that. There comes a point however that these actions must have some direction and structure.

This Ted Talk speech was very interesting. Caitria and Morgan O'neill spoke of their experience as they aided in the clean up effort after a tornado hit their home town. They simply went to help but quickly noticed that there needed to be some of this structure and direction given. While no one would disagree that Americans come together in the face of adversity, the Oneill's noticed that these good and selfless individuals in their home town simply needed some direction and no one was there to give it. Tornadoes do not occur often in Massachusetts and it caught them off guard. Someone needed to take charge. As Caitria and Morgan took charge, they noticed that several things needed to change. Now these women try to implement these changes and share their knowledge with other victims of natural disasters.

Reich's cultural parable, The Benevolent Community states that when faced with something like a tragedy or disaster, America communities rally around one each other and give selfless aid. In the face of adversity, citizens band together to help those in need. Caitria and Morgan realized through their experience however that some things could be done better. For example, Do you remember what the last bit natural disaster was in the United States? How about the one before that? The Oneill's point out that in today's fast paced world of information and technology, something can become yesterday's news in an instant. After a disaster for example, even though the majority of Americans are generous in times of peril you only have so long to capitalize on the tragedy at hand. Once America has moved on to the next big story, it is often too late to receive financial aid. Often times, the community, or state is left with the bill and the clean up. (and as these women illustrated, if the man hours were not documented, the city or state loses out on funding). Americans are generous yes, but you often only have short window to capture that generosity.

I happen to believe in Reich's parable of The Benevolent Community. Through personal experiences such as the 2005 flood mentioned, I have witnessed first hand the coming together of a community in a time of tragedy or disaster. I also believe however that this benevolent spirit can be leveraged into much more following a model such as the one these women have proposed. The old adage, when the goin' gets tough, the tough get goin' is and will remain the basis of this theory. Nothing can or will ever take the place of self-sacrificing human being who helps others in the midst of a trial. If every community waited for the 'proper' way to help, or cut through red tape in order to get something done, disaster clean up efforts would fail. Caitria and Morgan simply used this mentality along with common sense, organization and technology to harness this benevolent power in order to better help those in their home town and I applaud them.

Several process premises could be employed by those on the outside looking in on a community in distress or by those witnessing hardship first hand. My mind automatically goes that of Maslow's need of safety. People need and want to feel safe. When that is threatened, they will go to great lengths to get back to the status quo. In smaller communities, Packard's compelling need of having a sense of our roots comes into play. No one wants to see something bad happen to their home town.
Perhaps the most poignant process premise in these situations and closely linked to our sense of our roots, is that of pride. When Americans take pride in themselves, in their community, state or country, it is a touching and inspiring thing to behold or join together in. What these two talented and educated women wish to do is simply harness that spirit, and fuel the fire of an already Benevolent Community phenomenon.

Larsen's Cultural Myths

Larson argues that the cultural myths of any audience will shape the way they hear things and what they hear. What resonates with an audience will often be shaped by their culture. Larson teaches what he calls cultural myths. These six myths often create a premise for persuasion in America. As we view a speaker or a leader through the lens of one or more of these six myths, we can often times be persuaded by them.

Larson begins with what he calls The Wisdom of the Rustic. We often respect leaders who come from humble beginnings, someone who has overcome the odds. When a leader has emerged from favorable circumstances, they often find other means to attempt to gain the same respect as a result. Closely linked is The Possibility for success. If anyone works hard and is honest, they can become successful regardless of their background. Third, Americans often seek out or even wait for the next great leader to come along, someone who will enact change and make things better. Recently, Barack Obama was seen by many as what Larson calls The Coming of the Messiah. Many Americans feel as if Obama is their "savior" and has come along to make things better for them. Fourth, Larson argues that The Presence of Conspiracy often creates the notion that when a negative trend is noticed, there are bigger problems at play or in other words, a conspiracy. Conspiracies can create panic and unrest but can also lend themselves to the emergence of a new leaders with aspirations of calming fears. Fifth, The Value of a Challenge. When someone goes through a challenge and comes out stronger on the other side, they have the ability to motivate with the credibility they have established by overcoming said challenge. Challenges can manifest themselves in many forms and be either individual or collective in nature. Challenges can either destroy you or make you stronger. This in part why it is included here as one of Larson's "myths." Finally, The Eternal Return suggests that we often seek to draw on positive things from the past and seek to re-live the seemingly better times of old.

There is little doubt which one of Larson's myths Helen Keller would be most closely related. At 19 months, a severe fever left her deaf and blind. At age 6 she began working with a tutor named Anne Sullivan Macy. Keller later attended and graduated college. She went on to write several books, and founded the American Foundation for the Blind. She was an advocate for the deaf and blind and also spoke out in defense of socialism and women's rights. Needless to say, she overcame her challenges and the value of her triumph gave her credibility necessary to influence others.

In her opening remarks, Mrs. Sullivan acknowledges that Keller has overcome great obstacles and goes on to say, "people always love those who overcome great obstacles." What choice does the audience have now but to love Helen Keller and listen to what she has to say? Helen goes on to say that she is providing the audience with an opportunity to do something, an invitation to act. That when an opportunity to act comes, they will remember her challenge and seize the opportunity.  She challenges everyone to attempt to relate to living in a world with her same physical challenges, to imagine how they would feel if they suddenly found themselves in her shoes in hopes that it will motivate them to want to help. She invites them to envision a world where unpreventable blindness does not exist or a world where no blind individual goes unaided. She then calls each in attendance to action with this admonition, "you who have your sight, who are strong and kind and brave will you now constitute yourselves as knights of the blind in the crusade against darkness?"

Keller definitely plays on the second process premise of emotion. She is speaking to a group of lions club members, a civic club who raise money and perform service to help others. She knows her audience. Perhaps through her speech she can inspire the group to devote their next fundraiser to her cause. She may employ a little guilt here as she asks them to imagine if they were suddenly stricken with her ailments. Her hopes is this will resonate with them and inspire them to help. This speech also dips into the third premise of emotions. I would argue that most people would have an emotional reaction to this speech and want to help based on their realization that their life is indeed better than hers because they are whole. Because they are blessed with health, they have an obligation to help the less fortunate. After all, few would argue, as Mrs. Sullivan stated in the beginning that those who have overcome obstacles are not a powerful tool for motivation to look at our own situation compared to theirs and want to help.

Can a Hunter Save Black Rhinos by Killing one in Namibia?

BJ Fogg's Behavorial Change Model

MOTIVATION

What Resonated?

            It does not matter if you are an anti-hunter or pro-hunter. What matters is conservation. You can still care about conservation. In the end, that is what I have done for the Black Rhino by donating this money.

1. Sensation:  Pleasure/Pain  

Mr. Knowlton began his remarks talking about how he believes in his “heart” that what he is doing is a positive thing. The fact that he states his conviction   resonates with those who are like him or may even be on the fence.

2. Anticipation:  Hope/Fear

The Rhino was killing other male rhinos in their prime breeding age and may even kill someone. The fear of this happening is stated as the original reason of why this particular rhino was chosen.

3. Cohesion: Acceptance/Rejection

He is telling the audience that they have to accept this. The village that was fed with the meat accepted the killing. If they did, you should too. If you believe in feeding poor Africans, you need to accept this as a good thing. Would you rather that these poor people starve?

ABILITIES

1. Simplicity:  

Mr. Knowlton’s reason behind his decision is very cut and dry. He did this to

save other rhinos, feed a village, and donate money to conservation. "We want to help preserve things in which we value" said Knowlton. Corey values the conservation side of hunting and was willing to donate big bucks to prove it.

TRIGGERS

a. Facilitator:

CNN had Mr. Knowlton on for a one on one interview and a chance to explain himself.   He agrees that the auction may not be the best way to go about this but it was the money raised that also made this a viable option. He states: "we shouldn't be complicit in helping rhinos." In the end, it is the controversy itself that has helped raise awareness about the black rhino. The fact that this has become a controversy has brought this issue to the forefront and that has done more than any anti-hunting group could ever do. He says that no matter what "I have made people aware." Then he concludes with this: "nobody came in and put a lower bid on it than the anti hunting community. They could have bid on it but instead, they threatened bidders away." This essentially states his conviction that if other people really had an issue with it, they could have gotten involved in the bidding process and had stake in the game. If they really cared as much as he did, they could have outbid him. In the end, Corey establishes his arguement that what he has done is for the good of conservation and brought awareness to the issue to the forefront and has helped an entire village as a by-product.

     

http://www.cnn.com/videos/world/2015/05/21/erin-intv-rhino-hunter-corey-knowlton.cnn/video/playlists/atv-big-interviews/