How Ads (and People) Persuade You

If you can recognize when you're being persuaded, it's a lot easier to make sure your opinions are actually your own.

Hosted by: Hank Green
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[kateg]

Most of the ads I see are on YouTube, so I get annoyed when I see an ad, especially since they tend to be the same few products over and over again. I then actively avoid the product, due to the negative connection

[Henchman_Holding_Wrench]

The more something is pushed in my face, the more I hate it.

[alexingman]

When I went to ad school we were taught not to sell the product, but to sell a lifestyle or an ideal. It helps to bend the viewer's thinking onto the more malleable emotional path. Once you've seen it you can't unsee it.

[MusiCaninesTheMusicalDogs]

I didn't pay much attention to the content of the video and gave it thumbs up because that's what the majority did, which means the video was good, right?

[crisisv]

The content of this video, an introduction into the processing and efficacy of arguments generally, is far more useful than just being about advertisements as the thumbnail suggests; it's reverse click-bait.

[boombob]

How to persuade people

Step one: max out charisma
Step two: Profit

[bill]

Persuasion is easy. Roll a d20, add your charisma modifier and, if applicable, your proficiency modifier.

[jimfarris]

I love that your in video links actually work! So rare these days. Also great info too, a lot of times you guys give out just enough to send me off to actually learn about something.

Keep up the good work guys!

[cob]

I love how Hank's hair just does whatever.. lol

[Rossomak]

I am an emotionless burger, I rarely go for things based on feeling, and when I do, the feeling is skepticism.

[DesertHomesteader]

I am far more likely to be dissuaded from buying something than persuaded by most ads. I was once in sales and I learned about "features and benefits". If an ad has no information about features or benefits, 90% of the time I am utterly dissuaded from whatever the ad is selling. That said, there is a small percentage of ads that tell a funny or uplifting story that is only peripherally relevant that I might let slide. The most dissuasive and objectionable type of ads for me are the type that sells a product as "cool", that use catch words or deceptive language to impress or that use memes or other pop culture references. Everyone seems to have different "most annoying" lists, but my list tends to include just about all retail and fashion commercials (what else can they do but claim they are cool?), health and hygiene products (Certs - what the hell is "retsin"?) and Lowe's pathetic "the moment when..." meme commercials (utterly pointless and pandering).

Sadly, my contempt for these advertisers doesn't always prevent me from patronizing due to various local factors, e.g - we do have a Home Depot nearby but it is in a seedy neighborhood and poorly managed. That said...given the spare time, I will drive pretty far out of my way to avoid a business I dislike.

[Master_Therion]

0:56 Someone tried that "Trust me, I'm a doctor" line on me. I said, "Just because you look like a doctor doesn't mean you are one, " and walked out of the hospital. I'm so proud of myself.
edit: Reworded to make joke more obvious.

[rea]

It is a good video but it doesn't even explain 10% on how ads are persuading us. Ads are wayyyy more vicious than that. Like when they target kids to make parents buy or when restaurants send fake smells out in the street.

There is enough ads manipulation to shoot a documentary!

[myscreenurs]

You make a good argument and have persuaded me. I will never trust doctors played by actors again.

[Puppy]

Can't stop laughing at the collar now XD LOL

[azraelle]

I remember my elementary school showed us a film on how ads try to manipulate their viewers, and I've been jaded to them ever since.

(Except ads about pizza. Those always make me hungry.)

[jimlawton]

Thanks for making this episode of SciShow Psych!

[kaelaolsen]

THANK YOU SCISHOW!!!! YOU GUYS ARE THE BEST!!! GREAT VIDEO!!!

[MZZenyl]

Hank: Yes, I finally watched Game of Thrones.
Me: CLEGANEBOWL CONFIRMED!!!

[Exportasjpeg]

This really helped with a school project, brand new sub! Thank you!