Andre Hartslief
Over the past 9 years as an online freelance article writer, I’ve enjoyed having saved up lots of lists of so-called power words and often, pulled them out to use when in a bind. I was browsing through these lists while doing the research for the content of this article. It was then, that I came across this favorite study of “power-words” by a social psychologist Ellen Langer, who set out to test the power of single words. In this particular experiment, she wanted to use various words when trying to cut into a long queue at a photocopy machine. She tried out three different methods of asking.
In the first experiment, she simply asked whether she could cut into the queue, 60 % said okay. Next Ellen asked whether she could cut into the queue but added the word because she was in a hurry. 94% replied, saying okay. Finally, to test the actual word, because, she again asked if she could cut into the queue and again used the word because, saying simply, like the other people in the queue, she too wanted to make some copies, 93% said okay. This indicated, that the reason for cutting in, was less important than the actual word used, namely, because.
, I feel Ellen Langer’s third request was quite obvious. Yet that wasn’t the object of the experiment. The power word “because” was all she needed. So, when we want people to take action, we need to always give them a reason.
Do you have any power words that work magic for you? I’d love to hear about them in the comments.
<a href="https://pixabay.com/en/home-office-workstation-office-336378/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Source</a>
Very interesting
Using the word because changed everything. I like that!
Hello Andrew, Yes it’s truly fascinating and so is the word “listen” as Alex Ledante mentions below when followed up with something worth listening to. Thanks for commenting.
Used properly, I’ve found “listen” to be quite potent in grabbing the attention of the recipient. But if you don’t follow it up with something worth listening to, the effect is lost
That can’t be blamed on the power word, though…
Hello Alex, this word “Listen” is a power-word I’m adding to my collection, thanks for adding to my collection.
De nada (that’s my power phrase but it probably doesn’t work on anyone but me)
You’re welcome, works for me too.
I would imagine that mine, yes and no are all powerful but possibly devalued by frequency of use
Ha… what Norman said! Too funny. 🙂
André, can you please send me R100,000 because I’d like to have it? 😉
I certainly would send you that amount, because you so majestically used my power word, however, I, unfortunately, do not have it to give, dear friend.
Oh well, it was worth a try 😀
“Ha ha ha!”