So, I've read a fair amount of the literature about group dynamics and social influence, and taught classes that discussed and used it. So I thought I'd know much of what was in this book already. While I was familiar with some of it, there were a number of tricks I hadn't noticed, and excellent descriptions of the ones I had, complete with explanations. Definitely worth reading!

Influence describes the six categories of techniques that have the potential to influence us without our conscious awa More...

It's sometimes insightful but it seems to be written for a "young adult" reader and it seems to pander to the audience. I keep finding myself wishing it were better researched and better reasoned. I guess I shouldn't be surprised that such a popular book is so loaded with conventional wisdom and random assumptions presented as quasi-scientific.

What made me about apoplectic is that his fifth edition continues his inaccurate presentation of the Catherine Genovese myth despite that it has been wid More...

This is a terrible book. Granted, I understand Cialdini is held in high regard for his analysis of "compliance professionals" but I found this book tedious, boring, and rife with self-reverance. It is by no means a 21st treatise on how influence works. I don't even recommend this as a historical example of how salespeople and other influence experts may have been taught; it's that bad.

Robert Cialdini's Influence: Science and Practice is about his research on the six basic principles people have used in various domains and fields to influence other people. The knowledge in this book is really invaluable. Before I give the six basic principles, Cialdini does not want anybody to use these principles irresponsibly and elsewhere has given convincing arguments that using these tactics exploitatively would only hurt someone in the long run. Furthermore, Cialdini gives examples in th More...

We are creating an array of devices capable of delivering a universe of information "to anyone, anywhere, anytime" Bill Gates (1999). but notice something telling: Our modern era, often termed "The Information Age", has never been called "The Knowledge Age". Information does not translate directly into knowledge. It must be processed - accessed, absorbed, comprehended, integrated, and retained.

Because technology can evolve much faster than we can, our natural capacity to process information is l More...

Very interesting read. Great read for those in Sales & Marketing.

This book is a Classic

As popular behavioral economics books go, Robert Cialdini's book Influence is not as rigorous as Daniel Kahneman's Thinking Fast and Slow; but it is surprisingly well-researched. I would highly recommend Influence to anyone who doesn't already know much about behavioral econ, because it's a very gentle introduction that's focused around practical applications in terms of media literacy and resisting manipulation.
Cialdini focuses on six fundamental heuristics: Reciprocity, commitment, social pro More...

I first read Robert Cialdini's book Influence: The Science of Persuasion when I was in graduate school studying judgment and decision making. I was amazed not only by the power of the psychological levers for influence that the author describes, but how easy he makes them to understand. It turns out that MANY things guiding my every day decisions have their roots in psychology, but what's really amazing and a little distressing is how these levers are used deliberately by people in the know to i More...

I read this last year and am reading again. Good book on sales tactics used by various companies. The author has tested all the theories in experiments, which had amazing results. It provides good protection against buying something you never wanted in the first place or spending more money that you originally intended. Companies use fundamental tactics that are based on human psychological attributes. They can then manipulate your response based on human behavior to make a profit. For example, More...

This book was recommended by a co-worker. This is real life practical experience on how to influence and how to defend against these influence tricks. Click, Whrr, and we are influenced by forces of our subconscious. Salesman have been using some of these trick for years, but it really works. This book can help you increase your circle of influence and help try to defend against these tricks.

Chapter 1- Weapons of Influence
Chapter 2 - Reciprocation
Give and Take
Rejection then Retreat
Reciprocal More...

A must read. Robert Cialdini, Regents Professor of Psychology at Arizona State University explores the fundamental principles and practice of "compliance professionals" - informed by his multi-year behind-the-scenes embedded across various communities of practice. This book is a classic, and exists in many editions and formats, including a Comic format. If you're willing to get a glimpse of the automatic - aka "click, whirrr..." - operating of human decision-making, READ THIS BOOK.

Straight-ahead easily accessible social-psychological text on the mechanics of influence, and how we are prone to leap to false assumptions based on evolutionary desire to limit variables and act quickly and decisively.

I read it, at least ostensibly, to help gain compliance and buy-in from the constituencies I serve at work. Unfortunately, most of the exposed tricks are best used for selling items, some of the aspects of developing compliance and "rejection and retreat" means of negotiating outc More...

Pretty much blew my mind as far as what happens when you are marketed to. You don't realize it, but you are being bombarded constantly in every way possible, and here's a great way to avoid buying something you get home to realize was completely useless.

This book shows you how to deal with people and maybe even get them to help you with something. I think it should be read by everyone. It's a book that can't be missed. After reading this book, your eyes will be opened. I highly recommend it.

Amazing framework for anyone in marketing or sales. My team came to more than one product breakthrough based on inspiration from this book. I read it every year.

I had to read this for a class, but I think every single person that breathes could benefit from this book. Cialdini dissects several weapons of influence that we run into on a daily basis, from shopping in the grocery or mall, to buying a car, receiving gifts or favors from friends/family/colleagues/strangers, dealing with authority figures, and to making commitments and remaining consistent to them, and many more scenarios. Not only will you learn ways that you are being influenced in future s More...

This book gets down to the heart of persuasion. How and why are people influenced? "Influence" is just a cool book that makes you stop and think..."why did I do that, or buy that, or follow that trend". Prime example that has much relevance to me is the concept of hazing in the greek community. The book gets at reasons as to why someone would subject themselves to torture just to be in a social organization. For advertisers, I hope I don't have to expain why this book is important to check out. More...

Nice summary / intro of lit on many important influence topics, how they are applied, and how people night defend against them.

This book is required reading for my Managing Organizations class at Anderson this quarter. The insights that the author offers in the book are fascinating, about how people influence others and how we can be more aware of those who would use the tools of influence maliciously. Furthermore, the author does a good job of creating an interesting narrative with current events, studies and conclusions that are neither repetitive nor boring. I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in More...

This book completely opened my eyes to the tricks that are being played on me in the world of sales. I can now avoid a large amount of influence and know how to use some of my own. (mua ha ha ha ha.) For an academic book, it's incredibly well-written - lots of facts and things to remember, but he conveys his points through stories and examples, which makes it easier to read and keeps the information in easy recall. The topic matter is inherently interesting, so that helps propel things, too. A m More...

This book truly opened my eyes to what motivates people to action. Especially remarkable to me were the behavior of crowds, our innate submission to authority, the dirty tricks marketers play and how gullible we are to advertising, and most of all, how destructive ignorance is. Most of us would never believe ourselves capable of evil, yet we permit outrages and sit by without lifting a finger unless our "act now" impulse is triggered. Fascinating, and useful - this book should be taught to kids More...

In general OK, but too many repetitions of the same things

We have automatic behavior patterns that can be triggered by a single piece of information, and people can hit those triggers and influence our compliance. This book outlines the key triggers.

*the need to reciprocate
*the need to be consistent with our past behavior and beliefs
*social proof, or the power of what others are doing
*we tend to agree to thing more when we like the person
*we often obey authority figures against our better judgement
*we find opportunities more valuable if they're limite More...

A must read.

I had to read this for a required course in my freshman year of college. I actually enjoyed it, though I did not enjoy my pretentious professor who made us bring dictionaries to exams only to fail while looking up words that he had made up. This was a very small part of the course, but I definitely enjoyed it. I believe that there is a lot of practical advice in this book. I think I need to revisit it before Michigan State University lets me out into the real world this spring.

Excellent. Concise, well researched, well presented book focuses on the six common ways people attempt to influence behavior. The author uses researchand stories as well as personal 'undercover experience in training of compliance professionals- cult leaders, salesmen, waiters,and others to illustrate his points clearly. Would love to see a kids' version so they could recognize how they are being targeted. Also includes ways to diffuse the tactics when they are directed at you.

This book touches upon some serious theories of human behavior, that if known, can be very insightful. Mr. Cialdini explains the reasoning behind these theories and does a good job backing them up. I think the main takeaway from this book is that we as humans are influenced by all that surrounds us...we must be vigilant, but I think we must also have faith in ourselves to deal properly with these influences. Theories read, theories known, thus theories should be easier to see.

Influenc explores the ways in which we become persuaded from a social-psychological standpoint. The book includes such topics as why charities send you free address labels with their mass-mailings, and why people are more likely to believe in believe in information that is censored or banned. It is an entertaining read for anyone, and would be particularly useful to someone involved in marketing.

This is possibly the greatest book I have ever read on this subject. Ever wonder why less torture gets people to defect more? Ever wonder why people stand around when people get stabbed in New York? Ever wonder why all those people drank the poisoned cool-aid? Ever wonder why car salesman sell so much overpriced merchandise? Ever wonder how many ways you could be suckered? Amazing!