In thinking about social influence weapons or tools, the following provides an example of __. In trying to increase the support for their plan, Michael holds a meeting to share early (but not confidential) information that only a few people in the organization have access to. O social proof O appeals to authority O scarcity O friendship/liking
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is scarcity.
Explanation:
Michael’s strategy revolves around providing early access to information that is not yet widely available. This aligns with the principle of scarcity, which is a key social influence tool. The idea is that when something is perceived as limited or rare, people tend to place a higher value on it. In this case, by sharing the information early with a select few, Michael is making that knowledge appear scarce and, consequently, more valuable.
The principle of scarcity works because humans generally desire what they perceive as limited or in short supply. If something is not readily accessible to everyone, it increases its desirability. By giving only a few individuals in the organization early access to information, Michael is creating a sense of exclusivity, which can make people feel more involved, valued, and motivated to support the plan to avoid missing out on important developments.
While other social influence weapons like social proof (following what others do) and friendship/liking (using interpersonal relationships to persuade) may also play roles in organizational dynamics, this specific scenario is a clear example of scarcity because of the emphasis on limited access to information.
In summary, the tactic of giving select individuals early access to information taps into the scarcity principle, influencing people’s attitudes and behaviors by making them feel that the information is rare or special, thereby increasing its perceived value and the likelihood of support for the plan.
