From the moment of our birth, we are influenced by other humans. During our first few years, that influence comes primarily from family and caretakers but, as we age, friends, teachers, cohorts, supervisors, advertisers, lovers, spouses, writers, speakers, mentors and, in some cases, strangers have a significant impact on our personal philosophy and behavior.
The tools of influence are highly varied but generally fall into the categories of reason, modeled behavior, reward and punishment. Young children learn by mimicking their parents and siblings and readily respond to any praise that they receive. By their teen years, reasoned discussion becomes much more important; if mutual trust, honesty and respect are part of the equation, influence is maintained. By contrast, attempts to exert influence via threats or by imposing personal, unsubstantiated dogma are unlikely to be effective and will diminish one's opportunity to influence behavior. Education broadens our exposure to factual information, ideas and the views of others, thereby making us less susceptible to the influence of zealotry or mysticism.
The concept of reward is effectively used by advertisers and, in the context of reasoned discussion, is an important element of influence, especially as it pertains to the benefits of commitment, hard work, perseverance and good citizenship; role models, including parents, colleagues, mentors and other admired persons, illustrate the rewards that stand to be achieved. Conversely, the use of fear, guilt or threats to exert influence, while temporarily effective in some cases, is destined to fail; in addition to the negative recoil that is produced, reason, education and experience eventually erase the power of fear.
