Under unhealthy influences

Hidden persuaders take away our ability to make true choices, encouraging us to jump to conclusions

- Phil Slade

It’s the oldest parenting trick in the book. Your child looks at you and says, “I’m hungry!”, usually after seeing an ad for junk food. If you ask them what they want, they are unlikely to choose something healthy. So instead, you say, “Would you like an apple or a banana?” If they protest at the choices you offer, you say, “That’s all we’ve got right now, an apple or a banana.” They think for a second, and usually choose one and then go about things happily again. No fight, and they feel like they’ve made their own choice. But have they?

Clearly, they didn’t come to us wanting fruit, but they’ve walked away feeling more in control of their choice than they really are. We wanted them to eat healthily so allowed only healthy options to choose from. They didn’t even think there might have been chocolate biscuits, cake, chips or any manner of confectionery in the cupboard; they just accept what is presented and then feel a sense of agency and control because they got to make a decision. We, as parents, have activated a hidden persuasion technique.