COM323 - Persuasion and Argumentation

In my COM323 - Persuasion and Argumentation course, we studied persuasion, manipulation, and seduction techniques involved in human communication. I believe this essay, in it's entirety, is a good example for this blog to illustrate my thoughts on this subject.

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Persuasive Techniques in Human Communication

Shannon Alvarez

COM 323 Persuasion and Argumentation

Prof. Teresa Plummer

December 1, 2014

Communication is a part of human nature. Humans communicate on a daily basis through words, gestures, signs, and pictures. Techniques of communication can be broken into terms such as persuasion, manipulation, and seduction. These communication techniques are meant to influence a person’s beliefs and make them act a certain way.

These devices can be used for various purposes including good and evil. In many cases, the person sending the communication or message has an honest and ethical intent (Magee, 2014). Their motives are sincere and they do not mean to cause any harm to the person they are trying to persuade. On other occasions, the persuader is acting with malice or some form of unethical objective (Magee, 2014). 

This essay will look at the differences between the terms persuasion, manipulation, and seduction. It will then assess modern-day examples of varying types of persuasive devices and the how different audiences respond to each technique.

Persuasion

One might assume that there is no difference between the terms persuasion, manipulation, and seduction since the goal is to get one person to act in a certain way based on the message being sent by another. However, there are ethical differences that must be addressed. 

When someone is using persuasion in the truest sense of the word, they must be open and honest about their intent as they communicate the message (Magee, 2014). Then, the person receiving the message must have “free will” to act as they feel appropriate based on the message (Magee, 2014). As long as both parties are aware of the persuader’s true intentions, then an ethical act of persuasion has been attempted. 

For example, when a company advertises a product there is usually a clear intention to influence the audience to buy the product. The audience has the free will to decide if they want to purchase the product or not. Generally, there is no coercion or deceptive practices in play.
 
Another example is when one friend tells another friend about a workout program they are enjoying. They seek to persuade the friend to join them for a workout and possibly convince the friend to buy the product. As long as the persuader is being honest about their intentions, they are persuading their friend. 

If, on the other hand, the persuader will stand to profit off the sale of the item and is not being honest about this intent, then the persuader is using the technique of manipulation.

Manipulation

Manipulation is a form of persuasion where the communicator conceals their intentions or purpose from the person receiving the message. This is significantly different from the true sense of persuasion because the persuader is depriving the other person of liberty or free will to act in a certain way (Sutiu, 2014). 

Sutiu (2014) explains, “Persuasion uses either logical or emotional means or a combination of both of them instead of force to accomplish desired ends.” When someone uses manipulation, they intentionally “mask realities for dishonest purposes” with the intention to influence their audience for a goal other than the one they declared (Sutiu, 2014). 

Codoban (2006) describes manipulation as a cause-effect reaction where “the manipulating subject passes over beyond the field of consciousness of the manipulated, thus treating him like an object.” In other words, the person being manipulated does not know they are being manipulated. 

As stated in the previous example, one friend has asked another friend to join them in a workout using a particular exercise program. The first person has not fully disclosed that they have a financial stake in the company that produces the program. They stand to make money off of every sale that comes through.

The other friend may feel happy that the first person has taken an interest in their health and wants to share a workout with them. They are not aware of the ulterior motive of the first person. 

The friend still has the choice as to whether or not they will buy the product, but they are still being manipulated because they are not fully aware of the first person’s true intentions. This is an unethical technique of communication and persuasion.

Seduction

Lastly, seduction can be described as another form of persuasion because the intent is still to influence a person to act in a certain way. 

In one way, seduction is different from persuasion and manipulation because the person doing the seducing becomes the object of desire (Codoban, 2006). According to Codoban (2006), “the subject offers himself/herself as an object, but as an object - secret, miraculous, strange - that is missing to the other in order for him/her to be ‘entire/whole’” (p. 154). 

The person being seduced is coerced through the promise of happiness or pleasure by the seducer. In the eighteenth-century, seduction was mainly identified with coquetry and sexual adventurism (Erickson and Thomson, 2004). 

In modern terms, seduction can take place through the explicit violation of a commitment or even politics. Minogue (2006) describes examples of political seduction through events such as Hitlerism to the modern day jihadist. The people being seduced may not have agreed with the views of Hitler or the jihadists, but were seduced by the promises they made for their futures.

Persuasive Devices and Audience Response

There are numerous modern-day devices used to persuade people today. People can be persuaded through television and radio commercials, email, direct mail, and pop-up ads on the Internet. 

Other persuasive devices include social media such as Facebook and Twitter. The news media can be a persuasive device along with movies and television shows. 

The audience’s reaction to the persuasive message depends on the processing strategy they use (Meyers-Levy and Malaviya, 1999). These strategies include the systematic processing strategy, the heuristic processing strategy and the experiential processing strategy.

Systematic Processing Strategy

A person will use the systematic processing strategy when they are able to dedicate a considerable amount of resources to processing the message and feel strongly about attaining an accurate assessment (Meyers-Levy and Malaviya, 1999). 

Someone using the systematic processing strategy may be shopping for a new car or some other expensive item. They would take their time assessing and comparing the persuasive elements before making up their mind which car to buy.

Heuristic Processing Strategy

When someone uses the heuristic processing strategy, their feelings about the subject are not as strong and they are willing to make a judgment based on convenience rather than accuracy (Meyers-Levy and Malaviya, 1999). 

A simple example of heuristic processing may include buying a camera based on the fact it was made in Japan and Japanese products are known to be reliable.

Experiential Processing Strategy

Finally, a person may use the experiential processing strategy when the message is regarded as “too trivial to warrant even a modicum of resources” (Meyers-Levy and Malaviya, 1999). 

Experiential processing is used most often with devices such as advertisements on the Internet and radio. Humans are prone to use the experiential processing strategy most often. 

Ethical and Honest Communication

Persuasion, manipulation, and seduction have been a part of human communication throughout its history. For the most part, people who seek to persuade do so through ethical and honest intentions. 

However, history has shown numerous examples where people even in the highest powers of office will use their powers to manipulate or seduce their audience. People will continue to try to influence others through these forms of communication using all the devices available. 

Those that choose to manipulate or seduce in order to influence must know that the person they are persuading should have the right to free will in order to act as they feel most appropriate no matter who is doing the persuading.

References

Codoban, A. (2006). From persuasion to manipulation and seduction. (A very short history of global communication). Journal for the Study of Religions and Ideologies, 5(14), 151-158.

Erickson, K. V., & Thomson, S. (2004). Seduction theory and the recovery of feminine aesthetics: Implications for rhetorical criticism. Communication Quarterly, 52(3), 300-319. Retrieved from ProQuest.

Magee, R. (2014). Persuasion: A social science approach. San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education, Inc.

Meyers-Levy, J., & Malaviya, P. (1999). Consumers' processing of persuasive advertisements: An integrative framework of persuasion theories. Journal of Marketing, 63, 45-60. Retrieved from ProQuest.

Minogue, K. (2006). Seduction and politics. The New Criterion. Retrieved from http://www.newcriterion.com/articles.cfm/Seduction---politics-2523

Şutiu, C. L. (2014). Human nature: Between persuasion and manipulation. Journal Of Academic Emergency Medicine Case Reports. Akademik Acil Tip Olgu Sunumlari Dergisi (Acil Tip Uzmanlari Dernegi), 5(10), 99-111. Retrieved from EbscoHost.

COM321 - Communication Theory

One of the first courses I took at Ashford University, while working toward my degree in Communication Studies, was COM321 - Communication Theory. This course examined Aristotle's three methods of persuasion: ethos, pathos, and logos. Students were asked to write about a speaker we admired and what made their speaking style memorable. The follow post includes my thoughts on President Ronald Reagan. 

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Methods of Persuasion

I grew up in the 1980s so Ronald Reagan was the first U.S. President that I paid attention to when he was speaking. He had a very easy way of presenting his message. He spoke very clearly and didn’t talk over people by using words that the average person may not understand. His messages could be understood by teenagers on up to older adults. His messages were clear and heartfelt. 

He took his role as President of the United States  seriously and was loved and respected by people on both sides of the political aisle.

I believe Reagan used a combination of Aristotle's ethos, pathos, and logos methods in his speeches (Trenholm, 2008). Reagan’s personal character and credibility (ethos) were built while he was an actor and then Governor of California. Since he was a well known person before becoming the President, people felt they knew him and were drawn to him. 

He used pathos, his ability to arouse emotions, by building humor into his speeches and also talking about personal experiences that he and his wife, Nancy had gone through. 

Reagan’s wording and logic (logos) were what kept the audience interested in what he was saying. His way of describing things in his speeches helped to paint a picture in your mind of the subject he was communicating about which also kept you intrigued.

An example of this is from his Berlin Wall speech which you can watch on YouTube. Here is an excerpt from that speech taken from the transcript on The History Place: 

“Behind me stands a wall that encircles the free sectors of this city, part of a vast system of barriers that divides the entire continent of Europe. From the Baltic, south, those barriers cut across Germany in a gash of barbed wire, concrete, dog runs, and guard towers. Farther south, there may be no visible, no obvious wall. But there remain armed guards and checkpoints all the same--still a restriction on the right to travel, still an instrument to impose upon ordinary men and women the will of a totalitarian state. Yet it is here in Berlin where the wall emerges most clearly; here, cutting across your city, where the news photo and the television screen have imprinted this brutal division of a continent upon the mind of the world. Standing before the Brandenburg Gate, every man is a German, separated from his fellow men. Every man is a Berliner, forced to look upon a scar.”

Today's Communicators

In order for a communicator to be effective today, they need to understand their audience. For example, a CEO of a company needs to understand the employee base is made up of people from multiple age groups and generations. The message has to resonate with generations Y and X, the millennial generation, and even baby boomers. 

Since the workforce has this wide range of people with varying education levels, they have to be able to communicate appropriately to all of them at the same time. If they format their communication to only one level of education or age group, their message will be lost on most of their employees. 

They also need to use all three of Aristotle’s methods of persuasion in their communication showing credibility and trust (ethos), emotion and value (pathos), while using logic, reason, and proof (logos). 

Reference:
 
The History Place. Great Speeches Collection. Ronald Reagan. Tear Down This Wall. nd. Web 5 Mar 2014. Retrieved from http://www.historyplace.com/speeches/reagan-tear-down.htm.
 
Trenholm, S. (2008) Thinking through communication: An introduction to the study of human communication (6th ed.). Boston: Pearson Education.
 
YouTube. “Berlin Wall” Speech – President Reagan’s Address at the Brandenburg Gate in West Berlin, Germany on June 12, 1987. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MDFX-dNtsM.

GEN499 - General Education Capstone

The following post is from my General Education Capstone course at Ashford University. This course focused on all of the general education course that a student must take throughout the entire college experience.

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Skills for Everyday Life 

Throughout my university experience, I have acquired numerous skills that helped me progress through my education. I have also transferred these skills to my everyday life and career. These skills include, but are not limited to, critical thinking, problem solving, communicating effectively, and analyzing information. 

All of these skills were enhanced through various readings and class assignments in my general education and communication studies courses at Palo Alto College and Ashford University. 

Building My Academic Skills

Each course at Ashford University requires students to submit weekly posts and research papers. These assignments require the student to analyze the instructions, research information relevant to the assignment, and communicate findings effectively through their writings. 

When I first began my studies at Ashford University, I would respond to the prompts in the posts with the basic information required in the assignment. As I completed one course and began a new one, my critical thinking, analytical, and problem solving skills improved. Consequently, my written communication skills improved because I gained a clearer understanding of how to break down an issue and better articulate my thoughts. 

One course that stood out for me throughout my educational experience is my World Literature course in which we studied classics like John Milton’s, Paradise Lost. These historical works have been studied for centuries by scholars, philosophers, and literary critics who continue to analyze the theological themes and political commentary intended by the author (Academy of American Poets, n.d.). In order to be successful in this course, all of the above mentioned skills were put to use, especially critical and creative thinking. 

Building My Soft Skills 

My university experience has also provided other learning opportunities including cultural awareness which helps a person approach problems and ideas from a different viewpoint (Dowd, 2015). Cultural and global awareness is important in both academic and everyday life. No matter where you are in the world, you must interact with people from various backgrounds and cultures. These soft skills have enabled me to communicate better with classmates and co-workers since we all come different experience in our lives. 

Skill Transfer

Wehlburg (2010) explains that with integration of general education courses, students are better prepared for diverse and unexpected requirements in future careers. My current and future careers require effective verbal and written communication skills. I am required to speak with co-workers and other professionals throughout my work day. I also have to be able to write communications effectively through emails and other forms of communication. 

I use critical thinking, problem solving and analysis skills all day at work, too. As an administrative assistant to multiple executives, I am required to keep track of their calendars to ensure they are able to get to all of their meetings on time. I have to analyze what is happening on a daily basis to make sure all documents are prepared for the meetings. 

The company I work for employs people from various cultural backgrounds. The soft skills I have learned through psychology, sociology, ethics, and other general education courses continue to enhance my ability to work with people from all over the world and succeed in everyday life.
 
References
 
Academy of American Poets. (n.d.). John Milton. Retrieved from http://www.poets.org/poetsorg/poet/john-milton.
 
Dowd, M. (2015). What is the purpose of taking general classes for a college degree? Retrieved from http://education.seattlepi.com/purpose-taking-general-classes-college-degree-1876.html.
 
Wehlburg, C. M. (2010). Integrated general education: A brief look back. New Directions for Teaching & Learning, 121, 3-11. doi:10.1002/tl.383.

COM345 - Media Writing for Communications

The following post is from my COM345 - Media Writing for Communications course at Ashford University.

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Grabbing Life by the Oars

As we age, we may not be able to continue performing the same activities we did in our 20s and 30s. Pounding the pavement on long runs becomes hard on the knees. The high intensity, high impact movements of kickboxing can often lead to injury. We may experience more aches and pains than we did a few years ago due to arthritis and other inflammatory issues. But that doesn’t mean we should stop moving. It only means that we should look for other options to stay fit and healthy.
 

Low Impact Options

In her article, 4 Sports to Stay Healthy and Active at Any Age, Erica Tiffany discusses some low impact activities that are good for people of all ages, especially for woman over 50. She explains that Pilates is a great activity to help women stay limber and build strength. Biking can be easier on the knees than running. Stand-up paddle boarding is great for those who enjoy outside activities around water and the level of intensity can vary depending on water conditions. Finally, weight training is extremely important for maintaining strength and muscle as we age. It helps with bone density, combats obesity, improves glucose control, and builds a healthy heart. 

A New Way to Stay Healthy

However, there is a fifth sport that has been gaining popularity with people of all ages and fitness levels. This is the sport of indoor rowing. Fortunately, you don’t have to compete in rowing competitions or Cross-Fit to reap the benefits. In fact, you don’t even need to live near water. 

A Hard Workout That’s Not Hard on You

Indoor rowing is a great activity for women over 50, especially those who suffer from joint pain or injury. When done properly, the exercise places very little impact on joints and other body parts like the lower back.  

CAUTION: Don’t go into a rowing workout thinking it will be as easy as walking on a treadmill or a Sunday stroll through the park. As with all exercise programs, check with your doctor first. 

Body, Mind and Soul

Indoor rowing machines are one of the most efficient and effective low- to no-impact calorie-burning exercises next to cross-country skiing and swimming, according to Eric Stevens from Breaking Muscle. He explains that indoor rowing uses 84% of the body’s musculature and provides a cardiovascular and muscle building workout, all at one time. Since so many of us have little time to spend working out, using the rowing machine will enable a person get the most out of each workout using the majority of the muscles in our bodies, including the heart and lungs.
 
It’s mentally challenging as well. Aron S. Buchman, MD, an associate professor in the Department of Neurological Sciences at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago explains, 

“When you move, the initiating, planning, and execution of movement doesn’t start in the muscle. The muscle is basically the final pathway that all motor activity has to go through. The spark begins in the brain.” 

A study published in The Journal of Gerontology: Medical Science in 2003 asserts that “exercise slows the decrease in size of the brain’s temporal and prefrontal cortices, which control vital function such as multi-tasking, planning, memory, and paying attention.” Staying mentally sharp as we age is certainly a great benefit of exercise. 

Rowing 101

Anyone can learn to row and reap the benefits of this overlooked exercise. Becca Jenkins’ article, 2 Numbers That Will Make You a Better Rower, explains that people new to the sport may not know that there is a specific technique to follow in order to get the most out of your rowing workout. The rower must pay attention to their stroke rate and split time to track their effectiveness and efficiency throughout the workout. The numbers will be used to track progress and set new personal records or PRs in future workouts. But don't let these let rowing terminology keep you from trying it out.

Technique is Key

There is also a technique to follow to ensure you are working properly during the drive and recovery. A quick search on YouTube will bring up numerous videos that break down the movement and offer practice drills to help improve rowing. 

Basically, the rower begins in the “catch” position: knees bent, arms extended, and back straight but leaning slightly forward. The rower begins the drive by first pushing off with their legs. As the legs straighten, the core engages and the body leans back to an 11 o’clock position. The arms then follow the body movement by pulling the rowing handle towards the lower ribs. This position is called the finish. During the recovery phase, the arms slowly straighten as the core leans forward to a one o’clock position; then the legs slowly bend until the rower reaches the catch position again. 

Just as importantly, the rower must use the proper breathing technique according to the Concept 2 website. The rower will exhale on the drive, and then slowly inhale during recovery. The breathing technique helps you to get the most out of your workout and maintain a steady pace. 

Compete Alone or with a Friend

Whether you like to work out alone or with a friend, rowing provides a way to compete with yourself or with a workout partner. You can track your progress by comparing your two thousand meter time to your friends’ or just try to beat your own PR. There are even rowing communities online to compare notes, discuss the sport, and offer encouragement. Join a virtual rowing team or log your time and distance in the Concept2.com website’s logbook. You’ll find other rowers in your age category to compare notes and may even meet some new friends. 

Toss the Excuses and Row

So, whether you’ve had to ditch your running shoes or hang up your kickboxing gloves, there’s still many other ways to stay active. Go grab life by the oars and row your way to a healthy you.

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References
 
Breathing Techniques. (2015). Retrieved from http://www.concept2.com/indoor-rowers/training/tips-and-general-info/breathing-techniques.
 
Jenkins, B. B. (2015). 2 numbers that will make you a better rower. Breaking Muscle. Retrieved from http://breakingmuscle.com/rowing/2-numbers-that-will-make-you-a-better-rower.
 
Scott, P. (2008). Still rowin’ on the river. AARP. Retrieved from http://www.aarp.org/personal-growth/life-long-learning/info-05-2009/50-plus_rowing_clubs.html.
 
Stevens, E. (2015). Respect the rower: An argument for the ergometer. Breaking Muscle. Retrieved from https://breakingmuscle.com/rowing/respect-rower-argument-ergometer.
 
Technique Videos. (2015). Retrieved from http://www.concept2.com/indoor-rowers/training/technique-videos.
 
Tiffany, E. (2015). 4 sports to stay healthy and active at any age. Living Better 50. http://livingbetter50.com/4-sports-to-stay-healthy-and-active-at-any-age.

ENG325 - Intermediate Composition

In my ENG325 - Intermediate Composition course at Ashford University, we were asked to write compositions on various subjects that we found interesting. At the time I wrote this composition, I was training for the San Antonio Rock N Roll Half Marathon. I thought it would make a good blog post to illustrate my writing skills.

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Training for a Marathon

Chicago Marathon, 2012. Chicago Tribune.com

People take up running for many reasons. Some run to improve their cardiovascular health or to lose weight. Some run to raise money for charity while others run for stress relief. There are those who run just a few miles a week. Then there are those who train for long distance runs such as half marathons (13.1 miles) or full marathons (26.2 miles). 

Marathon runners are different from those who run for health and leisure. Marathon running takes serious dedication in physical training, requires personal sacrifice, and can be cost prohibitive for some. 

Dedication

The marathon runner has to be completely dedicated to their training which begins months in advance of race day. Ogles and Masters (2003) describe marathon training as “a serious undertaking” of personal training sessions that include months of “numerous hours and miles” of running. 

If the person has never participated in long distance running, this training may begin more than six months prior to the event. These novice runners may underestimate the challenge they are undertaking and begin training too aggressively which will result in injury or loss of motivation (Dolgener, Kolkhorst, & Whitsett, 1994). Someone who has been running and is already prepared may not have to begin training so far in advance. 

There are other forms of training the runner must participate in to prepare for race day. Those forms include “aerobic and anaerobic training, strength training, drills and mental training” (Poston, 2005). This intense training can take a toll on the runner’s body causing fatigue or injury. Therefore, only people who are extremely serious about training for a marathon should take on such a major training regimen.

Personal Sacrifice

Training for a marathon takes personal sacrifice on the part of the runner and his or her family and friends. Schedules for social activities, meals, and family time take a ‘back seat’ to the training routine (Ogles & Masters, 2003). Since it takes so many hours of training to prepare for a marathon, personal relationships can suffer. 

The runner spends numerous hours each week training on their own unless their partner or friend is training with them. If time at work and rest are included in the week, very little time is left to nurture relationships. Explaining the runner’s motivation for the race can help prepare family and friends for the absence during the training months. It can also go a long way in determining who is there to cheer the 
runner on and meet them at the finish line, thus saving the relationship.

Cost

When someone thinks about marathon running, they may not understand the costs that can add up. Running in the street or on a path through a park may be free. However, the runner must pay race entry fees, purchase good quality shoes and appropriate attire, and incur possible travel costs (Ogles & Masters, 2003).  All of these items together can cost hundreds of dollars. It is recommended that running shoes be replaced after a certain number of miles. Running in the summer requires different attire than cold weather or rainy days. Planning ahead of time can help those with limited resources be able to afford this hobby. If someone cannot afford these costs, it may be best to take up another sport or run for leisure and health only. 

        

Google Images, 2015

Each person that decides to run a marathon does so for their own personal reasons. They must go into the challenge with a clear understanding of what it will take to be successful. They are unique in their dedication due to the physical endurance, sacrifices and monetary costs required to participate in the sport. However, the feeling they get after crossing that finish line on race day must be priceless.

References

Dolgener, F. A., Kolkhorst, F. W., & Whitsett, D. A. (1994). Long slow distance training in novice marathoners. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 65(4), 339-46. Retrieved from ProQuest.

Ogles, B. M., & Masters, K. S. (2003). A typology of marathon runners based on cluster analysis of motivations. Journal of Sport Behavior, 26(1), 69-85. Retrieved from ProQuest.

Poston, J. (2005). Training for the half-marathon. Strength and Conditioning Journal, 27(6), 81- 83. Retrieved from ProQuest.