Adding a minor negative detail in an otherwise positive description of a target can give that description a more positive impact.
The blemishing effect seems to operate only under two circumstances.
First, the people processing the information must be in what the researchers call a ‘low effort’ state. That is, instead of focusing resolutely on the decision, they’re proceeding with a little less effort—perhaps because they’re busy or distracted.
Second, the negative information must follow the positive information, not the reverse. Once again, the comparison creates clarity.
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Effective communication
Persuasion techniques
Closing a sale
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