Analyzing Persuasive Communications
Recall that your text defines persuasion as "an attempt to convince others to change their attitudes or behavior" (Perloff, 2014, p. 21). For the Discussion this week, you analyzed your own approach to influencing another person in a positive way. You also considered whether, based on your current understanding of different forms of persuasion, you are comfortable with the methods you used.
For your Assignment this week, you will continue to focus on approaches used to persuade by considering the ethics of persuasion and, particularly, techniques used by people in work situations. In evaluating specific interactions where someone influenced you (be sure you use adults as the influencer in this assignment), you will apply normative theories of ethics. Keep in mind that normative theories are the "ought to" ideas of what people ought to do based upon moral philosophy. Normative ethics involve the person's character and how we judge them. Do we call them honest? Are they trustworthy?
For this Assignment, you will analyze the four scenarios you indicted in your chart when someone influenced you in your everyday communications with others.
To prepare:
- Review the Week 1 Assignment Instructions handout from the Learning Resources.
- Use the Week 1 Assignment Template document from the Learning Resources to record the persuasive communications you encounter in a 24-hour period. Record at least four entries noting when someone tried to influence you. Follow the guidelines on the Instructions sheet to include all key information about each communication. Write the narrative to address the prompts directly under the Chart.
- Review the reading in the text and the code(s) of ethics that correlate most closely to your current work or the profession you want to enter. Select one organization's code of ethics to use in evaluating the behavior in each communication you record. For communications that are more personal than professional, identify specific guidelines within the code of ethics you chose that could logically be used to evaluate personal interactions.
- Reflect on the entries in your completed Chart. For each entry, consider what you were thinking at the time and how you felt. Were the strategies used by the influencer ethical?
Please follow the directions below. I have also attached the chart that needs to be completed as well as the assignment.
Each question should be in bold type with the answer following below.
Submit a 3- to 5-page paper, submitted as one document, that includes your completed chart and an analysis that addresses the following:
- Analyze the entries on your Chart of how someone influenced you by explaining the normative theory that best describes each situation. Give your reasoning for choosing this theory.
- Apply the professional code of ethics you have selected to each situation in your chart. Evaluate each communication (minimum of four required) as ethical or unethical, and explain your reasoning.
- Summarize insights you have gained about persuasive communication that you would apply to your current job or the future work you want to do.
Use the Assignment Template to record your chart, and write your analysis directly under the Chart in a Word document. Be sure to rename the document following the instructions.
Although this Assignment has elements of a personal reflection, you must also demonstrate your understanding of the week's topics. Be specific, and provide examples.