Ep 4. How Can You Change Somebody's Opinion?

How Can You Change Somebody's Opinion? is the fourth episode of the first season of the popular YouTube channel AsapSCIENCE. The episode focuses on the topic of persuasion and how individuals can change the opinions of others.

Through a series of simple experiments and discussions, hosts Mitchell Moffit and Gregory Brown explore the psychology behind persuasion. They explore the factors that influence persuasion, such as credibility, authority, and likeability. They also delve into the ways in which individuals use emotion, logic, and social norms to change the opinions of others.

In one experiment, the hosts ask participants to rank the importance of different features on a cereal box. They then reveal that the cereal box they presented was actually a box of dog food. The hosts use this experiment to illustrate how our preconceptions can shape our opinions and attitudes, and how difficult it can be to change our minds once we have formed an opinion.

The hosts also discuss the role of social norms and conformity in persuasion. They explore the famous Solomon Asch conformity experiments, where individuals were asked to match the length of lines. The experiments showed that individuals will often choose to conform to the opinions of others, even if those opinions are clearly wrong. The hosts discuss how this phenomenon can lead to groupthink and the suppression of dissenting opinions.

Throughout the episode, the hosts offer practical tips and advice for changing the opinions of others. They suggest that building credibility and trust, appealing to emotions, and using persuasive language can all be effective strategies for changing someone's mind. They also caution against using aggressive or confrontational tactics, which can often backfire and reinforce the person's existing opinions.

In addition to discussing persuasion in a general sense, the hosts apply their findings to real-life situations. They examine the role of persuasion in politics and advertising, and discuss the ways in which these industries try to shape public opinion. They also discuss the importance of critical thinking and skepticism in evaluating persuasive messages.

Overall, How Can You Change Somebody's Opinion? is an engaging and informative episode of AsapSCIENCE. The hosts use a mix of experiments, anecdotes, and expert insights to explore the complicated and often counterintuitive nature of persuasion. By the end of the episode, viewers will have a better understanding of what it takes to change someone's mind, and how to be more persuasive themselves.