Question

While they were shopping, 6-year-old Elliot came running around one of the store aisles and excitedly asked his mother if she would buy him a $299 Microsoft Xbox 360 game console to use with their television at home. When his mother immediately refused, Elliot looked very dejected but apologized for asking. A few moments later, Elliot asked, "Well, can I get a new basket for my bicycle?" Clever Elliot appears to be using the _____ technique to persuade his mother.

Answer 1

Answer:

While they were shopping, 6-year-old Elliot came running around one of the store aisles and excitedly asked his mother if she would buy him a $299 Microsoft Xbox 360 game console to use with their television at home. When his mother immediately refused, Elliot looked very dejected but apologized for asking. A few moments later, Elliot asked, "Well, can I get a new basket for my bicycle?" Clever Elliot appears to be using the door-in-the-face technique to persuade his mother.

Explanation:

The door-in-the-face technique is commonly studied in social psychology as a compliance method. The persuader tries to covince the respondent to agree by making a large request that the respondent will reject as it were metaphorically slamming the door in the persuader's face.