Persuasion

To persuade is to "influence someone"s thoughts or actions. The different elements of persuasion are used today mainly in the sense of winning over a person to a certain course of action", according to Dictionary.com. This is particularly true when cult leaders use these elements to recruit new members of their group. Persuasion can be difficult to accomplish, but it also difficult to resist when effective. Self-esteem is a major factor in how susceptible one is to persuasion.
People with low self-esteem are assumed to be more effected by persuasion than those with higher self-esteem. his is because a lack in confidence can make one uncertain of their own ideas, therefore these individual place credence in others. However, depression, closely correlated with low self-esteem, tends to lead people to be more inwardly focused. Because of this, depressed people will be less likely to accept new proposals. In the article "Cult Influence and Persuasion Tactics", Kelton Rhoads, Ph.D. explains that the most persuadable people   are those in the middle of the self esteem scale, those who are "outwardly-oriented enough to receive and comprehend [a persuadable] message, but not so self confident that they will dismiss a new idea out-of-hand" (2).
Some audiences are more difficult to persuade than others. There are many different elements of persuasion that, when done correctly, can alter the opinions of others. It is important to speak in a firm and confident tone. Those who speak faster than others are usually more persuadable. This is because speaking in a fast pace makes the persuader look as if they know what they are talking about and limits their audience to having thoughts of opposition. On the other hand, speaking hesitantly, in a quiet tone makes one look uncertain of their argument.
Acknowledging the opposing side of a given argument is also essential. Someone who wishes to persuade others is seen much more as a credible source when they understand and can...