Application of the 'Click-Whirr Effect' / Applied Psychology
The 'Click-Whirr effect' is a psychological phenomenon where a certain trigger causes people to take action without thinking deeply. The name supposedly comes from the 'click' of a tape recorder's play button and the 'whirr' of the tape running. In the Reiwa era, that sounds like nonsense. I seriously wonder if they couldn't have come up with something better.
The originator, Dr. Ellen J. Langer, seems to have called it 'Automaticity,' which sounds much cooler in English.
Let's look at the experiment that served as the basis for this.
The subjects went to the front of a line waiting for a copier and made requests in three different ways.
1. Stating only the request: 'Excuse me, I have 5 (20) pages. May I use the copier first?'
2. Adding a real reason: 'Excuse me, I have 5 (20) pages. I'm in a rush, so may I use the copier first?'
3. Adding a plausible-sounding reason: 'Excuse me, I have 5 (20) pages. I need to make copies, so may I use the copier first?'
When the number of pages was 5, the compliance rate for the request alone was 60 percent, 94 percent when adding a real reason, and even 93 percent when adding a 'plausible-sounding reason.'
On the other hand, when the number of pages was 20, the compliance rate for the request alone was 24 percent, 42 percent when adding a real reason, but only 24 percent even when adding a 'plausible-sounding reason.'
This suggests that when you ask for a favor, you are more likely to get compliance if you add a reason. It works because of the psychological tendency to comply automatically without thinking deeply, simply because 'there is a reason.'
Even with a 'slightly higher hurdle request' of copying 20 pages, the compliance rate increased when a real reason was added, but what is worth noting is the 'plausible-sounding reason' used for the 5-page copy request.
'I need to make copies, so may I use the copier first?'
Who is this, Shinjiro Koizumi?
It makes no sense.
Everyone waiting in line needs to make copies. When you think about it carefully, it explains nothing, much like 'sexy syntax' (source: Shinjiro Koizumi), yet the compliance rate still rose dramatically. It can only be described as an error in the human brain. You can add any reason as long as it sounds like one.
There is no reason not to take advantage of this.
Actually, the Click-Whirr effect was also applied in the exchange in the comments section that led to me teaming up with Omou-san. It was an extremely practical interaction and a successful example, so it might be interesting for those interested to analyze it.
If you use this, simple requests become much easier to get granted.
Since you've gone to the trouble of learning this knowledge, why not give it a try?
Thank you very much for sticking with my humble writing until the end. I hope that your small requests will be granted one after another, and that small happiness will envelop the town.
#AddingAReasonIs #SomethingIMakeAHabit
#AppliedTheClickWhirrEffectToThisArticleToo #TriedMakingIt
#Essay #Psychology #AppliedPsychology #ClickWhirrEffect #Automaticity #EllenLanger #Psychologist #ThinkingAboutWatanabe
#PleaseBeCarefulAsUsingItTooMuchMakesYouSoundFullOfExcuses
#CreativeAward2023
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