Saturday, May 13, 2023

Today's Mantra: “If you want to make someone your friend, do them a favor” - Benjamin Franklin

The Counterintuitive Principle of the Benjamin Franklin Effect

The Benjamin Franklin Effect is a psychological phenomenon that has fascinated researchers and individuals alike. It is named after Benjamin Franklin, one of America's Founding Fathers, who first described the effect in his autobiography. Essentially, the Benjamin Franklin Effect describes the tendency for people to like and become more inclined to help someone they have previously helped.

This seems counterintuitive. One might expect that someone who has received help from another person would be more inclined to like and feel indebted to that person. However, the opposite appears to be true. In one study conducted by researchers at the University of Toledo, participants who were asked to complete a favor for another person rated that person more positively than participants who received a favor from that same person.

The Benjamin Franklin Effect can be explained by the concept of cognitive dissonance. Cognitive dissonance is a psychological phenomenon in which a person experiences discomfort when holding two or more contradictory beliefs or values. When we do something for someone else, we create a new belief that we are the kind of person who helps others. If we do not already have a positive attitude towards that person, then there is a dissonance between our belief that we are a helpful person and our negative attitude towards the person we helped. To resolve this dissonance, we shift our attitude to be more positive towards the person we helped.

The Benjamin Franklin Effect has many practical implications. It can be used in situations where we want to build rapport with someone or persuade them to our point of view. By asking for their help or advice, we are giving them an opportunity to help us and, in turn, become more inclined to like us. This can be particularly useful in situations where we might be seen as a threat or adversary.

Another practical application of the Benjamin Franklin Effect is in the field of customer service. When a customer has a problem with a product or service, they may become frustrated or angry. By asking the customer for their help in solving the problem, the customer becomes more invested in finding a solution and is more likely to have a positive experience with the company.

In conclusion, the Benjamin Franklin Effect is a fascinating psychological phenomenon that has important practical applications. By asking for someone's help or advice, we can create a positive attitude towards that person and build rapport. This can be useful in a variety of situations, including building relationships, persuading others, and providing customer service. Understanding the Benjamin Franklin Effect can give us an edge in our personal and professional lives.