Would you believe us if we told you that mistakes that make us feel bad might make us more sympathetic? It is good for you to believe; because we say this based on a famous theory in social psychology known as the Pratfall Effect. What is the Pratfall Effect, how does it turn mistakes into sympathy? We dig deep into social psychology and get the answers to these questions!
Imagine making a mistake, getting angry with yourself, and feeling like you’re incompetent because of that mistake. It is very natural to think that such a situation is not good, most of us think like this; however social psychologyapparently, does not agree with us.
Social psychology argues that the mistakes that make the person feel bad actually have the power to have the opposite effect, contrary to what is believed. Pratfall Effect gives its name. What is the Pratfall Effect like that can turn a person’s mistakes and sensitive points into an advantage? The answer to the question and more in our article!
What is the Pratfall Effect?
Pratfall Effect, social psychologist Elliot Aronson by 1966A theory developed in . According to this theory, society ”superior” perceived faults, clumsiness, vulnerabilities; Contrary to popular belief, it returns positive, not negative, to the person. These people who are glorified by the society; When he commits a mistake or similar action that cannot be expected from a superior, exalted person, he is purged of all his adjectives in the eyes of the society. ‘humanizing’ and thus ”One of us” becomes more sympathetic, loved and attracted by his perception.
Aronson’s Pratfall experiment
Elliot Aronson, who wanted to test his theory, 48 university studentsHe is preparing an experiment consisting of Participating students are divided into four groups. Audio recordings of the contestants who participated in the quiz show and answered questions are played to each group. The key point here is that each group listens to the audio recording of different contestants! Knowledgeable to the first group, ordinary to the second group, knowledgeable but clumsy to the third group, and clumsy to the last group audio recording of a competitor is played. The questions asked of those who are knowledgeable about the contestants 92%Of those who are ordinary, who cannot be considered knowledgeable, only 30%It seems that he answered correctly.
In order for the experiment to best test the Pratfall Effect, Aronson also provides additional information to the participants. Explaining how educated, successful and talented the knowledgeable competitors are, Aronson said; states that ordinary competitors have the opposite characteristics. Finally, during the competition, the first and fourth competitors ”Oops! I spilled coffee on my new dress!” Adding that he also uses expressions such as, Aronson, in the light of all these details, wants to learn about his impressions of the audio recordings he listened to from the bands. The conclusion from the experiment supports the Pratfall Effect: Knowledgeable and clumsy while the competitor was sympathetic to the participants by spilling coffee on him; it seems that the interest and sympathy for the ordinary competitor who made the same mistake has decreased.
Pratfall Effect in daily life
Especially celebrities and politicians It can be said that it is quite easy to observe the Pratfall Effect through Being famous or taking an active role in politics is perceived as being superior by the society; The actions of people who are perceived as such and contrary to their superiority, make them more likeable and attractive with the Pratfall Effect.
One of the names that can be a good example of the Pratfall Effect is the deceased. Mehmet Ali Birand. We think that there is no one who does not remember the gaffes made by Birand, who is famous, successful and has earned the respect of the society, while presenting the main news. When you think about these gaffes or see them somewhere and watch them, do you criticize them harshly or do you laugh at them? It is obvious that the majority of the society laughs at these blunders. So much so that we cannot imagine Birand without his blunders, we see these blunders as a fun part of him and we always mention him when we commemorate him. This is what we can call the Pratfall Effect: A big name that we are used to seeing on television can also stumble, and that name can make a blunder. It doesn’t make us criticize it or find it less likeable, but rather more fun and likeable.
When you think of the Pratfall Effect, which name comes to mind first, and why? We look forward to your reply in the comments.