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The Ben Franklin Effect 👴🏻

2023-05-09 · Short · Ali · recording, 0:54 · watch on YouTube

Topic: Relationships and personal life · mode: Explanation and tutorial

In a Short, Ali explains the Ben Franklin effect: Franklin won over a hostile rival legislator by borrowing a rare book from him, because doing someone a favour makes our feelings match the action (cognitive dissonance); Ali advises asking for a small favour when there is tension with someone.

What is said

The parts of the video and what is said in each (★ — how much it matters to the video).

00:00:00 — The Ben Franklin effect: Franklin's rival, why it works, and how to use it

  • ★★ Ali tells how Benjamin Franklin, facing a rival legislator who disliked him, asked to borrow a rare book from the rival's library, returned it with a thank-you note, and their relationship began to improve. — 00:00:00
  • ★★★ Ali explains the Ben Franklin effect: when we do something nice for someone we dislike, the brain alters our feelings about that person to match the action, which he links to cognitive dissonance. — 00:00:29
  • ★★★ Ali advises using the Ben Franklin effect: when there is tension with someone, ask them for a small favour, such as borrowing a pen or a book or asking for advice, which might transform the relationship. (hedged) — 00:00:29

Threads in this video

  • first on record · How do you win over someone who dislikes you? — Ali advises using the Ben Franklin effect: when there is tension with someone, ask them for a small favour, such as borrowing a pen or a book or asking for advice, which might transform the relationship. (00:00:29)

Mentioned

Central: Ben Franklin effect · Benjamin Franklin

Also: cognitive dissonance · United States

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