Attention, Reality, Behavior

By Steve Wang

We discussed how attention can be manipulated and directed, and learning this skill can improve our communication abilities. In the TED Talk, the pickpocket speaker mentioned that making someone recall a memory can prevent them from registering their external senses, which is an example of directing attention. If we want to use this technique to enhance our communication, we must find a way to draw attention to the things we want our audience to hear. For instance, if we want to persuade someone to agree with us, we should focus on one thing that will trigger their interest. That one thing should also be something they like, and we should avoid any distractions during the conversation.

Another aspect seen in the TED Talk was how the speaker controlled when and what information was inputted, like asking the volunteer to look or think about something. In summary, the information provided to a person and where they place their attention can significantly impact their behavior. For instance, to convince a workaholic friend to take a vacation, we could first talk about the work that interests them, then quickly shift the topic to a vacation. Since their attention is focused on work, they may not react immediately to the change of topic, and we can use this opportunity to explain how taking a break could benefit their work. By doing so, we can redirect their attention back to work and make them feel positively about our suggestion.

Moreover, we could praise things in a way that would make them feel like fulfilling a particular need, rather than merely a want. For instance, if a salesperson can convince a customer that their product is a need, the customer may continue buying it. By controlling the reality (the information given) and the audience's attention, we are more likely to achieve the desired outcome.