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Social Sci LibreTexts

9.2: Antisocial Persuasion

  • Page ID
    209744
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    Prosocial Persuasion

    Ethical, prosocial persuasion entails a fairly direct appeal to an individual’s decision-making power, but still allows the individual to freely decide after having had the opportunity to understand and consider the information presented to them. Ethically speaking, persuasion is acceptable, because it grants an individual the opportunity to think about the presented information, deliberate about available options and, most importantly to consider it against the backdrop of their personal beliefs, desires, and commitments before exercising a decision based on their own reasons, absent from any unknown or unwelcome outside influence. The persuasive technique is thus clearly visible and acknowledged for what it is—an attempt to influence what people decide by changing their understanding of presented information. Full understanding of the information on which decisions are based, and understanding the consequences of decisions, are critical elements of legal and ethical informed consent. While persuasion tries to convince people to make certain decisions, people are still free to consider the information and decide for themselves.

    What is Antisocial Persuasion?

    Words such as "dangerous", "unprincipled", and "objectionable" are often used as synonyms for antisocial. Unlike ethical, prosocial persuasion, antisocial persuasion may limit free choice or purposely limit one's understanding of choices presented. Antisocial persuasion may hide or downplay potential consequences of a choice. Whereas prosocial persuasion is transparent as to who is persuading and for what purpose, antisocial persuasion limits or hides information, often for someone's personal gain. Types of antisocial persuasion include lying, deception, propaganda, manipulation, and coercion.