Robert Cialdini

Psychologist, Author & Professor

Biggest Achievements:

Author of "Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion" and "Pre-Suasion"  

Legacy: Expert in the science of influence and persuasion  

Influence: Techniques widely used in marketing and sales  

Book Sales: "Influence" sold millions of copies worldwide  

Academic Impact: Pioneered research on persuasion and compliance

Life Timeline

Robert Cialdini began his journey in the ordinary world of academia in the 1970s, studying social psychology and laying the foundation for his influential work on persuasion.

Cialdini faced the problem of understanding how and why people are influenced, a challenge he was uniquely suited to solve with his background in social psychology.

Initially, Cialdini, like many heroes, avoided fully committing to his research on persuasion, perhaps due to the daunting nature of the topic and the potential pushback from traditional academic circles.

Cialdini met his mentors in the form of influential psychologists and researchers whose work guided him, preparing him for the intellectual adventures ahead.

Committing wholeheartedly to his mission, Cialdini encountered numerous threshold guardians in the form of academic skepticism and the challenge of synthesizing complex psychological principles into practical applications.

Fully entering the mysterious new world of persuasion research, Cialdini navigated the complexities of human behavior and social influence, testing his theories against real-world scenarios.

Having adjusted to the special world of influence research, Cialdini delved deeper into the heart of his inquiry, approaching the inmost cave where he would encounter the profound principles that govern human behavior.

In the deepest chamber of the special world, Cialdini faced his greatest challenge: articulating the six key principles of influence. This ordeal required him to challenge conventional academic boundaries and innovate radically, effectively 'dying' to old methods to be reborn with a new, holistic understanding of persuasion.

Robert Cialdini cheated death by surviving the crisis of the supreme ordeal, emerging victorious with the publication of "Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion." He seized the sword of victory by gaining recognition and acclaim for his groundbreaking work.

Once the lessons of the great ordeal were absorbed, Cialdini faced the choice of whether to remain solely in the academic world or to expand his influence further. He chose to take the road back, sharing his insights through books, lectures, and consulting, thus returning to the ordinary world but with new, transformative knowledge.

Before fully reentering the ordinary world, Cialdini underwent a final purging and purification, solidifying his new self through continued learning and refinement of his theories. This resurrection allowed him to return to his starting place with a sense of having started a new life, forever different because of the journey he had traveled.

True to the hero’s journey, Cialdini returned with the elixir from the special world, bringing with him powerful insights and strategies to share with others. This elixir had the power to heal a wounded understanding of human behavior, and his continued efforts to distribute these insights to others in the ordinary world became the final test of his heroism.

Famous Quotes

"People seem to be more motivated by the thought of losing something than by the thought of gaining something of equal value."

- Robert Cialdini

"The truly gifted negotiator is not only able to be likable and fair but is also able to see what is just under the surface in others."

- Robert Cialdini

"The psychology of compliance involves understanding the principles of influence so well that you are able to predict and shape human behavior."

- Robert Cialdini

Available Lessons

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