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- The Question-Behaviour Effect
In 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. asked a profound question during the March on Washington: “Will you be judged by the colour of your skin or the content of your character?" His "I Have a Dream" speech represented a pivotal moment in American history, challenging society's deeply ingrained racial prejudices and inspiring the civil rights movement to work toward equality and justice.
Throughout history, monumental change often began with a question. "Why should I give up my seat because of my skin colour?” (Rosa Parks), "What kind of a people do they think we are? (Winston Churchill), "Can we not find a way to live together in peace and harmony?" (Nelson Mandela).
Influential figures posed thought-provoking questions to challenge the status quo, induce reflection, and inspire action.
Why are questions so powerful in influencing behaviour?
The Question-Behaviour Effect
The QBE is a psychological phenomenon where asking a specific question about a behaviour can influence a person's subsequent actions. Two psychological theories underpin it:
Cognitive dissonance: Discomfort we experience when we hold conflicting beliefs or an inconsistency between our thoughts and actions. This discomfort motivates people to reduce the dissonance, typically by altering their beliefs or behaviours to achieve consistency.
Self-perception theory: Suggests that we infer our attitudes and beliefs by observing our behaviours. We infer our internal states, such as preferences, attitudes, and values, by observing how we act in various situations. In essence, we become what we do.
So, when we ask ourselves questions about a behaviour, we become more aware of it, triggering cognitive dissonance if our behaviour doesn't align with our ideal self-image. We're more likely to take actions that align with our stated intentions to reduce this discomfort.
Leveraging QBE for behaviour change
Consider this example: You aspire to be a bodybuilder, but your eating habits don't reflect that goal. You struggle to eat well.
Instead of a vague resolution like "Eat well today," you ask yourself, "Am I eating like the bodybuilders I aspire to be like?" This question prompts self-reflection. You realise the gap between your aspirations and actions, inducing cognitive dissonance. To resolve it, you're more likely to take steps to align your eating habits with your bodybuilder identity.
But asking questions is just the start. You must follow through with concrete steps to translate intention into action. In this case, it could mean devising a specific meal plan or seeking guidance from experienced bodybuilders to ensure the nutrition aligns with the ambition.
Implementation idea
Whether you aim to influence your behaviour or that of others, harness the power of questions. Craft meaningful, action-oriented questions that encourage self-reflection and provoke change. It's not just about asking; it's about the actions that follow. When used strategically, questions can be a potent tool for behaviour change.
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