An online speaker‘s perception can be influenced by many factors. One of them is priming, which in psychology is a phenomenon consisting in activating the cognitive scheme through frequent exposure to a specific stimulus (Dillman Carpentier, 2020). As a result, the activated structure facilitates recalling and associating words or concepts related to it (Tulving and Schacter, 1990). The phenomenon of priming can be used as a technique of social influence.
The sequence of images
One way to use priming is to manage the sequence of images that appear. Kosonogov (2020), in a study conducted on a group of students, showed that neutral photos can be perceived more positively if unpleasant images were previously presented, and if the first respondents saw a pleasant photo, the neutral one was more unpleasant. The stimuli can trigger stereotypes. Viewing male or female faces results in a faster response in assigning names to a given gender than in the absence of any stimulus (Macrae & Cloutier, 2009).
Priming in public speaking
Priming can also be a phenomenon used to create the desired mood, which can affect the way of remembering, thinking, making judgments, conclusions and on interpersonal behavior (Forgas, 2017). So putting the audience in a good mood by the speaker through the background can determine how they are perceived. A positive mood may imply that the recipient is safe and may rely on their knowledge; negative moods will raise alarms and cause skepticism in the veracity of the content of the presentation. (Bless and Fiedler, 2006).
Summary
By means of a sequence of photos, building the right mood or manipulating the environment, you can influence the way of thinking, formulating judgments and conclusions, and interpersonal behavior. Priming, therefore, can be used in the selection of backgrounds that will have the intended effect on the audience.
Bibliography:
- Aarts, H. i Dijksterhuis, A. (2003). The Silence of the Library: Environment, Situational Norm, and Social Behavior. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 2003, 84(1), s. 18–28.
- Bless, H. i Fiedler, K. (2006). Mood and the regulation of information processing and behavior. W: J.P. Forgas (red.), Hearts and Minds: Affective Influences on Social Cognition and Behaviour. Psychology Press.
- Dillman Carpentier, F.R. (2020). International Encyclopedia of Media Psychology. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
- Forgas, J.P. (2017). Mood Effects on Cognition: Affective Influences on the Content and Process of Information Processing and Behavior. Emotions and Affect in Human Factors and Human–Computer Interaction. Academic Press.
- Kosonogov, V. (2020). The effects of the order of picture presentation on the subjective emotional evaluation of pictures. Revista PSICOLOGIA, 34(2), s. 171-178.
- Macrae, C.N., Cloutier, J. (2009). A Matter of Design: Priming Context and Person Perception. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 45(4), s. 1012.
- Tulving, E. i Schacter, D.L. (1990). Priming and human memory systems. Science, 247(4940), s. 301-306.
How do colors and backgrounds affect the speaker’s perception? Background and color perception in public speaking
The background that the viewers see is also important for the speaker’s image. In addition to issues such as good lighting or technical equipment, it is an essential element of the presentation. As speakers, we can pick different colors and textures.
What are the self-presentation strategies in public speaking? How to make a good first impression
Self-presentation strategies during public speaking are very important. Online presence is a method for communicating, displaying yourself and your values. Selecting information and photos that go to the web allows you to create an image that is not necessarily in line with reality.
How to present online? Is an online presentation or learning effective?
Online speaking differs in many respects from live speaking. Listening to speeches online can cause audience fatigue due to a higher cognitive load, which can affect how the speaker is perceived by the audience. People presenting themselves virtually may consider the different specificity of such speeches – background, interaction, equipment, to achieve the intended impression and effects.
Hi. Welcome to my blog 🙂 I’m a public speaking coach. I work as a trainer and Head of Speakers at TEDxZurich. I also help, among others, lawyers, vocalists, actors, lecturers and business people in preparation for their speeches in front of hundreds of people in the audience, as well as in conducting small meetings or presentations. For many years I worked on controlling the stage fright that kept me awake at night. I have always wondered how to manage the internal critic, not to worry about the opinion of others, and how to build a real sense of confidence on stage. Now I know the answer. Recently, I have given countless interviews, which made me aware of the importance of confidence in front of the camera. Having been involved in music since the age of 10, I know how stressful it can be to present to a wider audience. By combining my business and music experience, I can guide you through the process of changing direction towards your dreams. Based on my vast stage experience, I have gained the ability to provide adequate tools and methods of coaching that will support your development.