The Persuasion Technique

The technique is called the 'But You Are Free' technique. This is when you ask somebody to do something and add on to the end of the question the fact that they are free to chose. 

A recent review of the 42 psychology studies carried out on this technique has shown that it is surprisingly effective given how simple it is (Carpenter, 2013). All in all, over 22,000 people have been tested by researchers. Across all the studies it was found to double the chances that someone would say ‘yes’ to the request.People have been shown to donate more to good causes, agree more readily to a survey and give more to someone asking for a bus fare home.

There have been further studies where the type of words have been changed from 'but you are free to chose' to 'but don't feel obliged'. These studies have found that the actual wording is not important, but what is important is that it still implies that the person is able to make their choice. 

It also underlines the fact that people hate to be hemmed in or have their choices reduced. We seem to react against this attempt to limit us by becoming more closed-minded

My opinion

I find this piece of research particularly because myself, and many others, have probably succumb to this persuasion technique without even realising it, and have probably used it on other people without even knowing. I am interested in the fact that the simple suggesting that you have the right to make a choice makes people more willing to say yes. Knowing that you are free to make up your own mind and are not being forced into something makes you more willing to do it.