Welcome to our April newsletter.

We see how an emoji can hide feelings as much as express them. And we get around to sharing psychological insights on procrastination.

How do you persuade people to contribute to a collective goal?

And why, when you're persuading people on technical matters, it's not what they know, it's what they think they know.

And don't forget we're here to help. From improving your marketing with psychology and data to making your communications more persuasive. Tell us what you're trying to do and we'll show you how we can help.

Every so often we use our Monkey Business newsletter to share useful nuggets, opinions, and findings as food for thought. Sign up here.

How emoji’s reveal and hide feelings

A recent study published in the journal Computers in Human Behavior has found that people use emojis not only to express their feelings but also to conceal them.

It analyzed over 1.5 billion tweets and found that people tend to use positive emojis, such as smiling faces and hearts, to hide negative emotions or to maintain a positive social image.

Similarly, negative emojis, such as angry faces and broken hearts, are used to hide positive emotions or to express negative ones indirectly.

The study also found that the use of emojis varies across demographics, with women and younger people using them more frequently than men and older people.

The researchers suggest that the use of emojis can both facilitate and hinder communication depending on their context and the intentions of the users.
 

Photo by cottonbro

Don’t put off addressing procrastination

This article explores the underlying causes of procrastination. 

Based on studies with students, it finds that procrastination is often driven by emotional and psychological factors such as anxiety, fear of failure, and a lack of purpose, rather than poor time management or lack of motivation. 

It showed that an understanding of these underlying causes can help educators and parents to better support students and help them overcome procrastination.

These procrastination insights also have value for marketing.

By identifying and addressing the emotional and psychological drivers of procrastination, marketers can create products, offers, and communications that better resonate with their audiences and nudge them out of their procrastination.
 

Photo by Karolina Grabowska

How to get people to contribute to a collective goal

Persuading individuals to contribute towards a collective goal can involve different strategies depending on the time frame of the end goal. 

This study from Fudan University, China Europe International Business School, and Peking University shows that when the end goal is near, highlighting facts may be the most effective strategy. This is because individuals are likely to be more focused on concrete, tangible outcomes that can be achieved in a short amount of time. Providing clear and concise information can help them understand the urgency of the situation and encourage them to act quickly.

On the other hand, when the end goal is further away, appealing to emotions may be more effective. People may be less motivated by concrete outcomes and more motivated by the feeling of making a difference in the world. Creating a sense of community and shared values can help individuals feel more connected to the cause and motivated to contribute over a longer period of time.

Ultimately, it is important to use a combination of both strategies when persuading individuals to contribute towards a collective goal. By highlighting the facts and appealing to emotions, we can create a sense of urgency and community that motivates individuals to take action and make a meaningful contribution, whether the end goal is near or far.
 

Photo by Antoni Shkraba

It’s not what you know, it’s what you THINK you know.

A recent study has found that people's attitudes towards science are shaped more by their beliefs and perceptions than by actual scientific knowledge. 

The research found that people often have strong, entrenched views about scientific issues, even if they have limited knowledge about the subject.

This phenomenon can be explained by the psychological principle of "confirmation bias," which refers to people's tendency to seek out information that supports their existing beliefs and ignore information that contradicts them. 

The work suggests that efforts to address complex issues may be less effective if they do not also address people's underlying beliefs and attitudes. 

However many facts and pieces of evidence you have, the study shows the importance of a more nuanced approach that recognizes the role of beliefs and attitudes in shaping people's perceptions - even around “scientific” topics. 

Photo by Cottonbro

As ever, if there's anything we can help with, do get in touch.

James, Patrick and Dan

capuchin.cc

We practically apply the science of the human mind for hard, commercial results 

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