The question, though, is why? Why does touch-something you probably think of as an intrusion-get you to do something you’d normally resist? It’s even been shown to increase compliance after someone has already said yes-for example, actually finishing a long survey instead of just starting and abandoning it. It’s been shown to increase tips for restaurant servers, get people to take surveys, persuade subjects to share personal details, solicit help finding a lost object, and get people to sign petitions. Those are just a few examples of what the right touch can do. The result? Mountains of studies proving a simple touch at the right moment can drastically increase the odds a request you make will be accepted. Researchers want to know more about how and why humans behave certain ways, and businesses want to know how to use that information to, well, make more money.

Why Physical Touch Increases Complianceįor decades, researchers and businesses alike have been fascinated by the psychology of physical touch.

And the results could be life-changing-better jobs, more money, stronger relationships, more success, etc. This trick is so simple, you can master it in less than 10 minutes. If you’ve ever found it hard to get someone to help you with a simple request (*cough* spouse, kids, co-works, business associates, etc.), take note. It briefly altered your brain’s chemistry and made you think, “Hey, why not?” One or two light touches completely changed your view of the person asking you for. It was nothing invasive or aggressive you would have remembered that. Based on an enormous body of psychological research on behavior and compliance, though, I can make a pretty good guess at what it was: The interaction didn’t seem different from any other. That’s because what they did differently was hardly noticeable-it didn’t even register. What was different about that interaction? What did the other person do to persuade you?Ĭhances are, you don’t remember. You said yes to a request you’d normally say no to. Think about the last time this happened to you. Somehow, though, I still find myself saying yes to various requests once in a while. I’ve gotten skilled at just saying, “No, I don’t want to.” If the requester looks particularly eager, I might pretend I’m on my phone as I walk by. The requests are annoying but easy to avoid. Watch my stuff while I use the restroom?Īs I walk around Portland, I can confidently say I face all but one of these questions every day.Would you like to add a drink to your order?.Every day, you’re faced with a list of requests-often from strangers:

I get angry when someone touches me