Understanding the Subconscious

Ever thought what role does our subconscious play in determining our actions? If not, then read this article to know how and when our subconscious factors determine our actions and persuade us to undertake certain things and ideas.

Likeability is Something that is Wired into our Subconscious

You might not know but it is a fact that we tend to agree with people we like instead with those whom we don’t know. The rule of likeability says that if we like a person physically or due to his or her nature, we tend to respect that person and are easily persuaded by them.

A Rule of Give and Take

Whether you agree or not, till date we all play by a barter system in the society. In other words, if someone does some good to us, most of the times we try our best to reciprocate the good done to us. This is what the reciprocity rule says, that we tend to develop and strengthen our relationships by repaying the good done to us in an equally good manner. This rule subconsciously plays a vital role in determining our actions.

Listening to Higher Ups

Who in the world wouldn’t like to follow an expert in a field? This is what the authority rule says that subconsciously we tend to follow or believe in a person who is a master of his or her particular field. Instead of following our neighbor’s suggestion for treating a disease, we tend to follow what a doctor says; this is a perfect example to see how authority rule works.

Public Commitment Rule

Another rule to see how subconscious factors determine our actions is the rule of public commitment. If we make a commitment to someone, we are most likely to stick to it subconsciously or consciously. A perfect example to see this rule working is the way the bride and groom exchange vows on their wedding day ad try to stick to their commitments.

Nothing affects our Subconscious than Scarcity

Working on the principle of “Scarcity breeds Desire”, the scarcity rule plays a great role in persuading others for a particular thing. Take for instance, television advertisements in which we are shown that buy one and get one free. Seeing such advertisements, we are more than persuaded to grab that product because we feel that product might be available in a limited stock.

Simple Theme Rule

Another way to understand how our subconscious works is to see the simple theme rule. Just see how your actions are determined subconsciously, when you get an invitation to a party with a particular theme. We will definitely tend to follow the theme with matching clothes and attire. This is the way we are subconsciously persuaded to follow a theme.

Reverse Psychology Rule

It’s quite amusing to see how people can be actually persuaded to use your idea by using the rule of reverse psychology. Instead of persuading the people for your own thing or idea, it’s easier to persuade them for the opposite thing. In other words, trying to persuade people for the opposite thing, often leads to persuading them for your own thing or idea.