You Are Hard-Wired For Imitation and Empathy
If you put your face right in front of a young baby and stick out your tongue, the baby will stick out his or her tongue too. This happens from a very young age (even as young as a one month old). So? What does this have to do with anything?
It’s an example of the built-in, wired-into-our-brain capacity we have for imitation. Recent research on the brain shows how our imitative behavior happens.
Don’t underestimate the power of watching someone else do something.
If you want to influence someone’s behavior, then show someone else doing the same task.
There is research that shows that stories create images in the mind
that may also trigger mirror neurons. Stories are powerful.
Video at a web site is especially compelling. Want people to get a flu shot? Then show a video of other people in line at a clinic getting a flu shot. Want kids to eat vegetables? Then show a video of other kids eating vegetables.
Mirror neurons at work.
