It is an ascertained fact that the majority of individuals exert influence on others on a regular basis in order to achieve their personal objectives. Social influence may be divided into two fundamental categories: downward and upward influence. Upward influence is typically defined as influence attempts and strategies "that are directed at a target who occupies a role that is higher in the formal hierarchy than the influence agent" (Porter, Angle, and Allen 407).
One of the most striking examples of exerting upward influence is a child trying to assert influence over parents. When I was a teenager, I always tried to bring my parents round to my point of view in order to achieve my aim. When I was about 12 years old, my parents would not let my stay overnight at my best friend's house. Considering that I truly wanted to stay over, I decided that rational and logical persuasion approach would be the best way to make my parents allow me to do that. Therefore, I explained them all the reasons why I wanted to stay over and how important it was for me. I also told them that my friend's parents would be at home all the time and gave their contact numbers and address to my parents. My another logical argument was that I would stay over on Friday or Saturday as there were no classes on the weekend. All in all, my parents gave an ear to my rational and logical arguments and let me stay over at my friend's house.
I have to admit that this particular approach turned out to be a really effective one in various real-life situations. Therefore, I would definitely use the same approach again as it is not only based on logical arguments, but also does not restraint freedom of choice of or intimidate individuals who are to be influenced.
Works Cited
Porter, Lyman W., Harold L. Angle, and Robert W. Allen. Organizational Influence Processes. 2nd ed. Armonk, NY: M.E. Sharpe, 2003. Print.
