Psychographics is probably what I use the most in life. When talking to co-workers, friends, family ect.. I always look at their views would be and adjust my topic that I talk with them to match it. Psychographics is the standpoints, values, beliefs, and attitudes that a person may have on a subject. Someone’s standpoint is the way they interpret the world around them. Just compare what you would think of something compared to what a five year old would think and that’s standpoint. Value is what people to believe are good, right, worthy, and important. For example, a person who knows a cancer victim may value research for cancer more important and someone who knows an aids victim who might value aids research more important. Then there’s attitude which is how someone may feel about a subject. Take 9/11 for example, the attitude of the event may be different than someone else who might of grief, sorrow, angry, or neutral about the event. Lastly is belief, which is something a person accepts as true or existing. For instance, if you say that aliens aren’t real in front of my dad he won’t believe anything you say after that and then you will have failed to get your point across. It’s important that you approach these beliefs in a warm way so you don’t step on anyone’s toes.
Hi Pandagirl :) Yes I agree with you that looking at the psychographics of others is necessary to avoid offending someone with your own views, but it also helps the flow of a conversation of a speech. I agree that people usually listen selectively as well, so if their faced with listening to someone it should not make them feel as if their being attacked, especially with a sensitive topic or audience. The three standpoints that the book mentions, and that you elaborated on: value, attitude and belief all address factors of listeners that can help you understand how to direct your speech.
ReplyDeleteHi Pandagirl,
ReplyDeleteIt is very true that not being accepting of people's different standpoints is a sure fire way to shut down the conversation or cause a conflict in which people end up talking circles around each other with neither party actually listening to the points. I feel like everyone's point of view is valuable and is something that can be learned from. Taking these differences into consideration is a great way to improve a speech and to show your audience that you are open minded and not judgmental. As soon a a person or group of people feels offended you can pretty much end the conversation there because people naturally tune out what they don't want to hear. I feel like for the most part as long as you stay neutral and just give the facts that maybe the idea of possibly offending someone wont happen.