For the topic today we will discuss how directing someone’s attention can affect their thoughts and behaviors. When we focus our attention on something, our perspective is limited, and our thinking is directed toward that point of view. This can be used to influence others by using language and associations. For example, using words related to violence can make people more aggressive. Creating a favorable relationship environment can also increase the likelihood of getting help from others.
First of all, we need to ask why directing other people’s attention can affect them. Focusing our attention limits the direction of our thinking, and as long as our attention is directed, so is our perspective. For example, horoscope prophecies direct our attention to their point of view and make us feel “well-spoken”.
In addition to opinions, our behavior will also change due to changes in attention. For example, if we focus on our adventurousness and like to try new things, then we are also prone to give those marketers our email addresses. For the things we pay attention to, we will feel that these things are particularly important, so many times media reports will affect our understanding. And sex, danger, and the new naturally grab our attention.
Next, let’s talk about how to use the power of association to influence the thoughts and behaviors of others. Human thinking has many associations, and the habit of association can help us indirectly change the attention of others, especially by using the power of language. Different words and metaphors can change other people’s behavior and perspective. For example, words related to violence will make people more aggressive, and different metaphors will result in different understandings.
Sometimes the connection between different concepts exists directly, and we don’t need to remind ourselves, we can use it directly. Like many languages, weight and effort are linked. So if you want to make something look worthwhile, you can add weight to it. Use these three little switches to increase positive associations, including ego, belonging, and simplicity.
Finally, let’s talk about how we can create a favorable relationship environment before asking for help. To get help from others, we can see if we have any commonalities. For example, whether we are alumni, fellow villagers, or even have the same nationality. Such a connection will make the other party more willing to help us. But where there is no such connection, we can increase it through synchronized behavior, exchanging information, and creating together. This will also create a connection between people.
In addition, the term “association” to refer to the connections between different concepts in human thinking. The habit of association can indirectly change someone’s attention by using language and metaphors that create different understandings. The text also mentions the use of three little switches – ego, belonging, and simplicity – to increase positive associations.
It is clear that guiding and controlling attention can bring us preemptive influence. From another perspective, if we have different concepts from others, it is because our focus of attention differs from theirs to a certain extent. Therefore, whether we use our first-mover influence or avoid being maliciously misled by others, in the final analysis, it is a competition and control of attention.
In conclusion, it emphasizes the importance of attention in influencing others and suggests that it is a competition and control of attention. Directing other people’s attention can affect their thinking and behavior. Our attention limits our perspective, and what we pay attention to becomes important to us. Language and metaphors can indirectly change other people’s attention and behavior. Creating a connection with others through commonalities or synchronized behavior can increase their willingness to help us. Ultimately, controlling attention is a competition for influence.