Storytelling and Influence

Dr Patient Consult 2025 by
Geoffrey Sutton & Artspace

 Yesterday, I spoke with my physician about a procedure, which required his referral to a specialist. He mentioned some pros and cons but said he only had about five patients who had undergone the procedure. Then, he asked if I knew anyone who had had it done. I didn't, and he thought that was unfortunate. I left with the impression he wasn't enthusiastic about the referral. I was just seeking the opinion of the expert. However, my doctor did tell me the procedure was costly, which made me think I might not get an objective analysis from the specialist.

Why would a doctor ask if I had a friend who had the procedure? Since his sample of five patients did not fare well, he was reluctant to give a blanket referral. I understand that; however, because I am somewhat familiar with research methods and statistics, I prefer information from a large sample with reliable data.

What can we learn from research?

It turns out, a friend's story can be persuasive. Weirui Wang (2024) observed that we tend to be less defensive when we learn about something from a friend. He and his colleagues studied the influence of friends in a controlled experiment. It turns out the opinions of friends are more influential than factual information. Of course, one has to hope friends offer verifiable facts and not misinformation.

Source of Wang's study: https://spsp.org/news/character-and-context-blog/wang-storytelling-tactic-correcting-misinformation?_zs=mMdnc&_zl=lbVL4

Related Posts

Influence -The psychology of persuasion

Propaganda and Psychology

See Geoffrey Sutton’s books on   AMAZON       or  GOOGLE STORE

Follow on    FACEBOOK   Geoff W. Sutton    

   X  @Geoff.W.Sutton    

You can read many published articles at no charge:

  Academia   Geoff W Sutton     ResearchGate   Geoffrey W Sutton 

 

Dr. Sutton’s posts are for educational purposes only. See a licensed mental health provider for diagnoses, treatment, and consultation. 

The Psychology of Funerals

Today is a day of mourning and the funeral service of former US President, Jimmy Carter. In today's post, I consider the psychology of funerals.

Funerals hold significant psychological value for individuals and communities, serving as both a ritual of closure and a means of collective support. Here are some key aspects of their value:

Emotional Closure: Funerals provide a structured way for individuals to say their final goodbyes, helping them to begin the process of accepting the reality of loss and moving through the stages of grief.

Social Support: Gathering family and friends creates a support network, reminding mourners they are not alone in their sorrow. This collective mourning can foster a sense of connection and shared experience.

Ritual and Tradition: Rituals offer comfort through their predictability and familiarity. Participating in time-honored customs can provide a sense of continuity and stability during a tumultuous time.

Expression of Feelings: Funerals offer a sanctioned space to openly express grief, love, and memories, allowing individuals to process their emotions in a supportive environment.

Honoring the Deceased: Celebrating the life of the deceased through eulogies, stories, and symbols helps to honor their memory and acknowledge their impact on the lives of others.

Spiritual and Religious Comfort: For many, funerals are a spiritual or religious event that provides comfort through the beliefs and practices of their faith, offering hope and solace regarding the afterlife.

Cognitive Reconciliation: The tangible acts of funeral rites help to reconcile the cognitive dissonance between knowing someone has died and truly internalizing that reality.

Ultimately, funerals can be a powerful part of the healing process, helping individuals and communities navigate the complexities of loss and find a path forward. How do you feel about the role of funerals in our lives?

Geoffrey W. Sutton, PhD is Emeritus Professor of Psychology. He retired from a clinical practice and was credentialed in clinical neuropsychology and psychopharmacology. His website is  www.suttong.com

 

See Geoffrey Sutton’s books on   AMAZON       or  GOOGLE STORE

Follow on    FACEBOOK   Geoff W. Sutton    

   X  @Geoff.W.Sutton    

FREE STUFF

You can read many published articles at no charge:

  Academia   Geoff W Sutton     ResearchGate   Geoffrey W Sutton 

 

Dr. Sutton’s posts are for educational purposes only. See a licensed mental health provider for diagnoses, treatment, and consultation. 

January 6 - AN UNHOLY ALLIANCE

AN UNHOLY ALLIANCE

Today is the day over 2,000 Americans assaulted our US Capitol Building sending members of Congress scurrying away to save their lives. It should have been a routine approval of the election results. But it was the ugliest event I’ve witnessed on US soil.

Vandalism

Vice President Pence was under direct attack as was Speaker Pelosi. The assault was so far removed from mere contemptuous speech or even the wicked besmirching of someone character so common nowadays.

Violence

We noticed Christianity on display––well, a form of it anyway. We know American evangelicals voted for Trump in droves. And I’ve seen plenty of hateful remarks toward our current Catholic president and his Baptist Vice President. Perhaps I shouldn't be surprised. Throughout history, Christians have tortured and killed others who have a different view of Christianity. It seems more about power than love...and all those virtues nice people told me growing up.

Murder

Capitol police were assaulted. Close to 200 people were physically injured. Several died soon after the attack. And some officers committed suicide. Officials don’t seem to count psychological injuries among the injured.

Justice

The wheels of official justice turn as slowly as a zootopian sloth’s mouth, but eventually, many were found guilty and sentenced. They await their liberation from the one many consider the divinely appointed leader of this unofficial Christian nation.

Christianity

The Holy Bible was on display on Jan 6. 

  Jesus Saves. 

  Jesus is King appears beneath the Christian flag. 

 A large wooden cross. 

 Jesus is my Savior Trump is my President

Does anyone care about decency anymore?

Does anyone care about the saftey of our nations political leaders, judges, and hard working people in government offices?

Reference Notes

Adams (2024) The unholy triad of 2024: Christian nationalism... https://thehill.com/opinion/campaign/4533035-the-unholy-triad-of-2024-christian-nationalism-jan-6-and-donald-trump/

Boorstein (2021) the Capitol attach ... A kind of Christian revolt   https://www.washingtonpost.com/religion/2021/07/06/capitol-insurrection-trump-christian-nationalism-shaman/

Cameron (2022). regarding the dead https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/05/us/politics/jan-6-capitol-deaths.html

Dalsheim & Starrett (2021). Christian nationalism is downplayed... https://theconversation.com/christian-nationalism-is-downplayed-in-the-jan-6-report-and-collective-memory-189440

Jenkins (2022). How Christian nationalism paved the way for Jan. 6 https://www.ncronline.org/news/politics/how-christian-nationalism-paved-way-jan-6

Klemko et al. (2025). The fate of 1,600 Jan 6 defendants https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/interactive/2025/jan-6-trump-pardons/?itid=hp-top-table-main_p001_f001

Schor (2021). Christianity on display at Capitol riot https://apnews.com/article/christianity-capitol-riot-6f13ef0030ad7b5a6f37a1e3b7b4c898

Image: Imaginary AI

Geoffrey W. Sutton, PhD is Emeritus Professor of Psychology. He retired from a clinical practice and was credentialed in clinical neuropsychology and psychopharmacology. His website is  www.suttong.com

 

See Geoffrey Sutton’s books on   AMAZON       or  GOOGLE STORE

Follow on    FACEBOOK   Geoff W. Sutton    

   X  @Geoff.W.Sutton    

FREE STUFF

You can read many published articles at no charge:

  Academia   Geoff W Sutton     ResearchGate   Geoffrey W Sutton 

 

Dr. Sutton’s posts are for educational purposes only. See a licensed mental health provider for diagnoses, treatment, and consultation.