Connecting the dots

Does the act of writing truly influence behavior?

Do individuals who write frequently tend to be more intelligent?

I have always noticed that the ability to express thoughts clearly in writing sets people apart from the crowd. I used to play online games in my youth. I noticed a clear difference between people. Some of them could express their ideas well in chat. And some had difficulty putting together even simple sentences. However, I never really explored this further. I simply thought, “They must be smarter.”

A few years ago, I noticed a change in people’s behavior when it came to writing. Whether it was for personal reasons or work requirements. I encouraged (and sometimes pushed) my colleagues to write more for their colleagues, with the goal of streamlining the team’s work. As a result, I watched a notable increase in productivity. However, I attributed this to the simplification achieved through improved documentation.

Anyway, I have never deeply considered it in terms of human psychology. All those observations don’t seem to be too closely connected. Until I came across one book.

Principles of persuasion

This book was written by Robert Cialdini — a prominent psychologist and professor. He’s known for his extensive work on the psychology of persuasion, influence, and behavioral change. In the book titled “Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion,” Cialdini explains how people can be influenced and persuaded in various social and professional situations.

His research identified six key principles of persuasion:

1. Reciprocity – When someone does something for you or gives you a favor, you feel a natural urge to return the favor.
2. Scarcity – People tend to value things that are limited in availability or seem exclusive.
3. Authority – We tend to follow the lead of credible, knowledgeable figures or authoritative sources.
4. Consistency – Once we commit to something, we strive to act consistently with that commitment to align with our self-image.
5. Liking – We’re more likely to be influenced by people we know, like, and find attractive or similar to ourselves.
6. Consensus / Social Proof – People tend to look at what others are doing in a particular situation to guide their own behavior.

A significant portion of the consistency chapter in the book was committed to written agreements. It grabbed my attention the most, so I decided to dig a bit deeper into this topic.

Consistency

What is human behavior consistency? In simple words, consistency is doing things in a predictable way. When you’re consistent, people can guess what you might do in different situations. Being consistent in how we behave helps others understand us better, just like knowing that every book in a series has a certain style. When someone is consistent in their behavior, you can anticipate how they might act in different situations. It’s like having the rules of the game set, and it helps us navigate social interactions more smoothly.

It’s easy to understand the strength of the motivation for consistency. Consistency as a positive trait is widely esteemed across nations and throughout history.

A high level of consistency is often linked with intelligence, logic, rationality, stability, and honesty. Consistency allows us to develop expectations, build trust, and comprehend each other’s actions in the complex game of life.

Inconsistency, on the other hand, is usually seen as an undesirable trait. People who don’t practice what they preach are often seen as untrustworthy, hypocritical, or even mentally ill.

The main reason for almost any human conflict is mismatching expectations. Without consistency, we all would have brutally killed each other many years ago. Consistency is like the glue that holds the chaos of human life together at all levels. It allows us to build relationships and create insanely complex things.

Trust is a key element in any relationship. But how can we build trust in others? The main way is by giving them obligations, being consistent, and following through on our promises. But it’s not that easy.

When we make a choice or take a particular position, we immediately experience personal and interpersonal pressure. That urges us to think and act in alignment with that commitment. Furthermore, this pressure compels us to respond in a manner that continually reinforces the decisions we have made.

Another interesting fact is that people tend to believe more strongly in a complex choice once it has been made. The main reason for this directional choice is related to another fundamental principle of social influence. Like other principles, it lives deep inside us and operates automatically. It is our desire to be (and appear) consistent with what we have already said, done, or promised.

Social psychologists believe that commitment plays a crucial role in this context. When you commit to something, such as taking a certain position or making a public statement, it lays the groundwork for your automatic consistency. Your actions will then align with that commitment. After taking a specific position, you will naturally continue to hold it. An internal force urges you to align your perception with your actions. Externally, there is a tendency to adjust it to the perception of others obediently.

These commitments can be communicated to others both verbally and in writing. However, people can easily tell the difference between commitments made in private talks and those that are written down. Why does it happen?

Written statements

The importance of written agreements is universal.

There is a Russian phrase “что написано пером, то не вырубить топором”. It translates to “what is written with a pen cannot be cut down with an axe”. This phrase means that once something is written or committed to, it is hard or impossible to reverse or alter by force or physical methods. It shows the strong and long-lasting impact of written words. It is commonly used to emphasize the value of official agreements, contracts, or any written documents.

English has a similar saying: “The written word remains.” This means that once something is put in writing, it becomes a permanent record that is difficult to change or invalidate.

Spanish has the saying “Lo escrito, escrito está”, which translates to “What’s written is written.”

In German, there is “Schwarz auf Weiß haben”, which means “To have it in black and white.”

Therefore, people around the world recognize the matter of written words in comparison to oral speech.

Throughout early civilizations, people utilized various forms of contracts to formalize agreements. These contracts were inscribed on surfaces such as stone, paper, bark, and leather, serving as a testament to their commitments. Over time, humans developed dozens of addition instruments, like signatures, seals, and numerous digital tools, to ascertain the ownership of written words. But why is this process of validation so crucial to us?

A written statement as a tool for imposing obligations has several important advantages:

Firstly, it provides documentation that the action has been taken. Unlike spoken words, which can be forgotten or denied, a written statement serves as a permanent record.

Secondly, a written testimony can be shared with others. It can be used as persuasive evidence to influence someone’s position.

When someone publicly takes a stance, they are motivated to remain consistent with it in order to maintain their credibility. These written commitments, visible to others, have a desirable impact not only on others but also on the individuals who made them.

However, the key importance lies in the ability of the document to convince others that its author genuinely believes in what is written. We tend to trust that written words accurately reflect the author’s true stance.

It seems that a written statement often triggers an automatic response from those who read it. In the absence of evidence to the contrary, people tend to assume that the author of the statement believes in what they have written. Since others think that we believe in what is written (even if we do not), we strive to align our self-perception with our written statement.

Conquering wild rivers of thoughts

Now, we’ve highlighted the importance and power of written statements. Let’s see how scribbling weird symbols affects our behavior and turns us into deep thinkers (or at least gives the appearance of doing so).

So, you have thoughts?

Great! That means you exist. (“I think, therefore I am”)

Think of your thoughts and ideas as a stream flowing through your mind. They are fluid, ever-changing, and sometimes fleeting. However, when you put them into words on paper, it is like constructing a dam. Yes, a dam. You are creating a solid structure, something stronger and more enduring.

Your ideas now have structure and form. You can examine them closely, rearrange them, and construct something meaningful. Your ideas are all channeled, organized, and generating some serious mental electricity (you’re suddenly in the business of hydroelectric brain power now; congratulations!).

It solidifies your thoughts. It’s akin to taking abstract, shifting sands and molding them into bricks.

Once the dam is in place, something extraordinary happens. The flow of thoughts, once erratic, becomes disciplined and potent. Your ideas are now a controlled force, ready to be unleashed strategically. Writing transforms your mind from a wild river to a reservoir of potential.

Being the keeper of this dam means you’re in control. You decide when to open the gates and let your thoughts flow, shaping them into powerful narratives, arguments, or expressions. It’s a position of confidence and authority over your own intellect.

You can’t just say, “Oh, never mind, let’s bulldoze that dam”. Nope, you gotta be the responsible dam keeper, making sure the dam (aka your words) remains strong and reliable. You’ve stated your position, shared your ideas and made assertions. Now, you feel a sense of responsibility to be consistent with those expressed thoughts. It’s like a contract you’ve signed with yourself. It’s akin to entering into a contract with yourself.

Technically, of course, you can. However, it will require you to overcome additional mental pressure. You would have to publicly confess your mistake and face the social pressure of inconsistency Depending on your level of commitment, your brain could prefer to embrace the new reality rather than create another one. Expressing, “Here is what I believe, what I stand for, and what I know”, your words become a representation of your beliefs, commanding attention and respect.

And the magic happens in this place. Our brains do not see the difference between public statements and written texts. No matter what kind of text you’re writing — ANY act of writing for our brain seems Identical. Neurochemically, blog posts, children’s fairy tales, or technical documentation are all the same public commitment. It enables the same consistency trigger. We transform our wild thoughts into a new reality by fixing them on paper. Then our brains start to behave accordingly in order to feel more consistent.

This knowledge is incredibly valuable, and we can use it to our advantage. Neuroplasticity allows us to shape the reality we experience. And written expression is a perfect tool for it. It may seem like a hack in the matrix, but it is true and effective.

Hacking the Matrix

And just as importantly, writing is a mirror of your thoughts. When you read what you’ve written, you can reflect on your own beliefs and ideas. You see your beliefs, your perspectives, and your intellectual self. Sometimes, this reflection surprises you. Writing prompts self-reflection and growth. Initially, you may be astonished by the chaos that unfolds in your mind (at least I was).

“Wow, did I really think that?”

“How could I say that??”

“Did I write that? It seems like a mess”.

When you put your thoughts on paper (or screen) regularly, you start to see a pattern in your own thinking. You become more aware of your beliefs and values. This reinforces the automatic desire to stay consistent with what you’ve written, aligning your actions with your self-image. To be more consistent, you must form your thoughts and ideas in a way, that you’ll not be ashamed to stick to.

Moreover, sharing your written words with others invites feedback and dialogue. This can further shape and refine your thinking. Your ideas grow and evolve through this interaction. Currently, you cannot do it any other way. Although this may change with advanced neuro interfaces in the future, for now, we rely on putting words onto surfaces.

We can change our mindset by writing down things we would like to happen (or take a bigger part of our lives). Knowing that we have the ability to direct our automatic brain subsystems to behave in a way that aligns with our needs.

Handwriting is a better method than typing because it engages the fine motor skills of the hand and utilizes more neurons in the brain. It also enhances your mental focus closely on the idea. Have you ever noticed that you are unable to do or think about anything else while writing? Exactly!

Your written words are a direct reflection of your intellect and principles. They command attention and respect and, at the same time, serve as a tool to enhance them.

If you desire to have a powerful impact, then accept the responsibility of transferring your thoughts through writing. As you proclaim your beliefs to the world, you need to choose your words carefully, with intention and confidence. The ability to effectively transmit ideas through writing has the potential to make a lasting impact, not only on your life but on others as well.

So, let every word you write resonate with purpose and strength.