The Issue: Cialdini introduces a phenomenon called social proof, when people’s actions are influenced by others around them.
Major Strength: I like Cialdini’s writing. Not only is his book easy to read and understand, he follows every theory or phenomenon with an example for further comprehension. I enjoyed reading the different experiments of social proof. I’m really glad he brought up the Kitty Genovese case since that has always been my example of social proof when I discuss it with other people – I actually had a discussion about it earlier this week with my dad. During our week break, I witnessed a fight, 5 guys were beating on one guy. I was in my car and saw it across the street. Instead of falling into the bystander effect, I called the police immediately just in case none of the other witnesses took action. I told my dad this story and told him that the reason I did that was because of the incident with Kitty Genovese and how I’m trying to prevent pluralistic ignorance.
Major weakness: I wish Cialdini explained how the cult of believers came believethat spacemen were coming down to save them. I know that it’s based on Dr. Armstrong’s faith, but did they have any “proof” to convince the people that the spacemen would come? Where did the spaceman passwords come from? What made the people so vulnerable to make them belief in something like this?
Underlying assumption: People can easily be manipulated by people in their surroundings, whether it’s through action or belief. People assume that the majority is most likely correct and that in an emergency the more people there are the likelier someone will call for help.
Provocative questions: Cialdini explains that the followers of Dr. Armstrong’s and Mrs. Keech’s faith were disappointed after the clock struck 4:30am and yet no flood occurred. How did the people go about their lives afterwards? Were they still easily persuaded into a belief? Were they ashamed about the incident? Were they then immune to such extreme social proof? It says that after the incident they still followed Mrs. Keech’s actions, but I’m wondering how these people are many years after the incident.