Key Insights on Political Communication

Nov 13, 2024

Key Points from the Lecture

Predicting Political Races

  • In 2010 and 2014, the speaker successfully predicted the outcomes of most gubernatorial races.
  • Predictions were based on the 'target effect' of candidates on voters, beyond what polls suggested.
  • Relevant to business: appearances and body language impact interactions and presentations.

Importance of Congruence

  • George Bush (2002) and Barack Obama (2012) won elections because they appeared congruent and believable.
  • Non-verbal cues can reveal if a person's words and beliefs are aligned, affecting trust and likability.

Decision Making

  • Decisions are often instinctual and emotional, justified by logic later.
  • In business and politics, nonverbal congruence is crucial for persuasion.

Appearance in Persuasion

  • Men use ties as a central piece of communication; women use full outfits.
  • Color choices in clothing convey messages:
    • Blue: Future-oriented
    • Pink: Softens aggressive messages
    • Maroon: Credibility
    • Red: Attraction
  • Hillary Clinton uses maroon for credibility and red for attraction, adjusting makeup accordingly.

Environment in Communication

  • The physical environment, including smells, sounds, and seating arrangements, can influence outcomes.
  • Example: Fast food restaurants use smells to attract customers, uncomfortable seating to encourage fast turnover.
  • Example: Vietnam War peace negotiations took months to decide on seating arrangements.

Body Language

  • Nonverbal communication must align with spoken words to avoid confusion.
  • Key nonverbal messages: Credibility, openness, superiority, disinterest, insecurity, defensiveness, deceit.
  • Politicians like Christine Gregoire and Barack Obama use gestures to reinforce congruence:
    • From-the-heart gestures
    • Authoritative but non-aggressive gestures
    • Pretending to hold a ball for mastery
    • Chopping gestures to conclude interactions

Political Predictions

  • In 2012, speaker incorrectly predicted John Huntsman as a potential president due to misunderstanding differences in nomination vs. general election dynamics.
  • 2016 Prediction: If Jeb Bush secures the nomination, likely to become the next president, otherwise Hillary Clinton could win against other Republican candidates.

Final Thoughts

  • Nonverbal communication and environmental factors play crucial roles in politics and business.
  • The lecture emphasizes the importance of congruence and strategic use of appearance and environment for successful persuasion.