Course in Applying Psychological Principles to Influence Others

In a world where human interaction is increasing and tools of influence are evolving, there is a growing need for a deeper understanding of persuasion mechanisms grounded in psychological principles.
The course “Applying Psychological Principles to Influence Others”, offered by Geneva Institute of Business Administration, represents a transformative journey for anyone seeking to influence effectively—whether in the workplace, personal relationships, or public forums.
This program is carefully designed to empower participants with psychologically informed techniques that help persuade others efficiently and anticipate their reactions with analytical precision.

Target Audience

• Managers and leaders aiming to enhance their influence within organizations.

• Professionals in marketing, sales, and negotiation roles.

• Public speakers, trainers, and professional coaches.

• Individuals interested in developing personal and social persuasion skills.

Objectives

• Equip participants with psychological tools to understand others’ thinking patterns.

• Develop the ability to guide conversations and identify key moments of influence.

• Train participants to apply psychological principles in everyday scenarios.

• Improve the quality of human interaction through a deeper understanding of psychological triggers.

Course Outline

• Introduction to Persuasive Psychology

  • Origins of behavioral psychology and its link to persuasion.

  • The difference between persuasion and manipulation.

  • Scientific foundations that support influence techniques.

  • Models of fast and slow thinking in recipients.

• Basics of Perception and Its Impact on Response

  • How first impressions are formed.

  • The influence of cognitive biases on decision-making.

  • The concept of mental framing and its role in persuasion.

  • The relationship between attention and focus in influence.

• Body Language and Nonverbal Persuasion

  • Reading and interpreting silent signals.

  • Using eye contact and expressions to build acceptance.

  • The role of physical mirroring in establishing trust.

  • When silence is more persuasive than speech.

• Psychological Mirroring and Gaining Acceptance

  • Mirror techniques and their practical applications.

  • The effect of behavioral harmony on influence.

  • Understanding others’ emotions and empathetic connection.

  • The importance of timing in interpersonal influence.

• Power of Language and Subconscious Influence

  • Emotionally activating vocabulary.

  • How sentence structure shapes mental response.

  • Using tone and rhythm for vocal impact.

  • Key words that trigger subconscious approval.

• Priming and Mental Conditioning

  • How to direct the mind to receive specific messages.

  • The role of visuals and colors in shaping expectations.

  • The effect of indirect messaging on decisions.

  • Using priming techniques in meetings and negotiations.

• Psychological Needs as an Entry Point to Influence

  • Identifying internal motivators.

  • Leveraging the need for belonging and acceptance.

  • The role of self-esteem in persuasive communication.

  • Appealing to personal drivers when presenting ideas.

• Timing and Persuasive Impact

  • Choosing the right moment to say the right thing.

  • The recipient’s mood and its influence on decisions.

  • Avoiding mentally distracted moments.

  • Optimal timing for requesting approval or change.

• Emotional Mind vs. Rational Mind

  • When emotion outweighs logic.

  • Emotional connection as a powerful influence tool.

  • Avoiding over-intellectualized debates.

  • Invoking memories and feelings in messages.

• The Authority of Repetition and Affirmation

  • How repetition embeds messages.

  • Creative ways to repeat without causing boredom.

  • The power of affirmation in increasing conviction.

  • Using examples to reinforce your point.

• The Foot-in-the-Door Technique

  • Starting with small requests and their impact.

  • How initial compliance leads to larger commitment.

  • Building sequences of requests for influence.

  • Turning progression into genuine conviction.

• Comparison and the Power of Alternatives

  • Presenting options to guide decision-making.

  • Comparison as a subtle persuasion strategy.

  • Framing choices in your favor.

  • The role of personal values in selecting alternatives.

• Influence Through Scarcity and Limitation

  • The psychology behind scarcity behavior.

  • Using “last chance” appeals effectively.

  • Drawing attention by invoking loss.

  • Balancing urgency with psychological comfort.

• Social Factors in Persuasion

  • The power of social proof in shaping decisions.

  • Group influence on individual choices.

  • Avoiding psychological isolation in conversations.

  • When to use consensus to strengthen a message.

• Similarity and Psychological Closeness

  • How shared traits foster trust.

  • Building genuine common ground.

  • The impact of shared backgrounds on connection.

  • Cultural patterns and their role in message acceptance.

• Authority and Credibility as Influence Sources

  • The effect of the speaker’s image.

  • Leveraging expertise and social standing.

  • Building long-term credibility.

  • Avoiding exaggeration that weakens impact.

• Silent Persuasion Techniques

  • Indirect psychological cues.

  • Hinting rather than stating outright.

  • Quiet dominance and subtle influence.

  • Creating an internal atmosphere of receptivity.

• Dealing with Psychological Resistance

  • Understanding reasons behind internal resistance.

  • Bypassing objections effectively.

  • Turning rejection into a new opportunity.

  • Knowing when to insist and when to retreat.

• Long-Term Influence Strategies

  • Planting conviction instead of forcing it.

  • Sustaining positive messaging.

  • Smart follow-up after persuasion.

  • Behavioral change as the highest form of influence.

• Persuasion in Diverse Contexts

  • Adapting to formal and informal situations.

  • Tailoring the style of influence to the setting.

  • Differences between individual and group persuasion.

  • Reading and leveraging the conversation’s context.