In a study done by Lotfus and Palmer regarding eyewitness testimonies, forty-five students were shown a clip of a car accident, then were asked a series of questions about the accident. The phrasing of these questions were slightly varied:
- How fast would you estimate the car was going when it hit the other vehicle?
- How fast would you estimate the car was going when it bumped the other vehicle?
- How fast would you estimate the car was going when it smashed into the other vehicle?
The students were also asked if they remembered seeing broken glass in the clip.
When the word ‘smashed’ was used to describe the accident, the estimated speed was higher than when the word ‘hit’ was used. Similarly, more than twice as many people remembered seeing broken glass if the word ‘smashed’ was used rather than the word ‘hit’.
The words you use can, in some cases, be used in a way to alter the way a person remembers something.
Diction is important.
JM
For example:
-Using no hand gestures can be perceived as indifference
-Keeping your hands hidden can lead to a lack of trust
-Hands open, palms up at a 45-degree angle communicates honesty and openness
-Hands open, palms down communicates certainty
-Hands open, palms at a 90-degree angle communicates expertise
Be aware of the gestures you make and what messages they convey. The smallest things can make or break a successful manipulation.
JM
aguidetodeduction:
aguidetomanipulation:
Oh, yes, of course, not idiotic enough to attack the unknown alone—
Except perhaps that time with the cabbie driver…
Or backstage at the Chinese Circus…
Or at the pool…
Or on the roof of St. Bart’s…
You are Mr Charges-off-alone-into-battle.
JM
I knew precisely what each situation would be.
The “unknown” of that sentance is operative, Moriarty.
Though perhaps my relations to John have made my judgement of scenarios a little complacent…
SH
Oh, really. Well, far be it from me to argue, but I’ve seen surprised expressions on your face often enough to question your, ah, judgement of scenarios. ‘Complacent’ isn’t quite the adjective I was thinking of.
JM
Oh, yes, of course, not idiotic enough to attack the unknown alone—
Except perhaps that time with the cabbie driver…
Or backstage at the Chinese Circus…
Or at the pool…
Or on the roof of St. Bart’s…
You are Mr Charges-off-alone-into-battle.
JM
Anonymous asked: Dear Jim: you've given advice for what to do if someone bigger than you is being aggressive. What if you're very small and want (or need) to menace people bigger than you? My reputation for being ruthlessly violent and somewhat cruel has followed me through a few of my social circles, but people who haven't actively witnessed it (due to social appropriateness, normally) don't tend to take me as seriously because I'm so small.
I’ve found that coming off as slightly unbalanced is enough to unnerve even the toughest of people.
JM
Use the assumptive close by acting as if your target has made a particular decision already; turn the focus of the conversation towards the next level of questions. Acting confidently as if something is true makes it difficult for the target to deny it.
For example, if you are trying to get someone to come to a particular restaurant:
“What are you going to order?”
“Do you want me to pick you up?”
Use the alternative close by offering more than one clearly defined alternative to the target. You act as if the target has already decided to agree with you on a broad basis, and the only questions left is from which of a number of options they should choose.
For example, again, if you are trying to get someone to come to a particular restaurant with you:
“Do you want to go to the chain closer to your house or mine?”
“Do you want to go this week or next week?”
The idea is to make the target feel as though they have some control over the situation, while at the same time controlling their options to suit your needs.
JM
Anonymous asked: In response to your Guide to Manipulation 130; There are some gangs that wear cross necklaces too, and it might just be in the area that I live in, but cross necklaces are just as untrustworthy as they are the opposite. Again, this might just be the area that I live in, but people should keep that in mind, especially men.
Anonymous asked: how can I manipulate myself to not feel pain?
This isn’t precisely my area of expertise, but I do know that when you stub your toe against something, you can alleviate the pain a little by swearing loudly and calling the offending object a son of a bitch.
JM
“Pairing these together can help you tell how far you have to go to hide things.
For example, a person who is Observant and Forgetful might notice out of place items, but minor items out of place might be mistaken for forgetting that they moved it. Observant and Memory Favored (much like Sherlock) will have red flags at even the slightest hint wrong. Someone Unobservant but with a good memory might not notice things to a level, but if they do they’ll remember. Occasionally you can get lucky with someone who is Unobservant and Forgetful, who probably won’t notice much and if they do might not find it odd.
Finding where a person is on the scale can tell you what evidence you need to keep track of and what can be sacrificed if something were to go wrong. The more Unobservant or Forgetful they are, the more likely you can get away if you just don’t bring it up or mention it in context that they will notice or remember.”
Suggested by JDT.
