Persuasion and Influence Books

This is a collection of books that I have found to be very informative and in some cases even invaluable as a student of persuasion and influence. Some of these books are specifically focused on persuasion and influence, others discuss marketing, sales, negotiation, communications, relationships and a variety of other topic areas. The one thing in common, regardless of the topic is that persuasion and influence are a key part of the concepts and processes discussed.

Influence: The Pychology of Persuasion By Robert Cialdini This is a classic based on research in persuasion. Cialdini discusses what have become considered six fundamental laws of influence. Well written and full of great case studies. This is a must have.

Influence: Science and Practice By Robert Cialdini This basically an update of the Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion. The persuasion and influence research appears updated and this book is a bit more technical the previous books.

Persuasion Theory and Research by Daniel O'Keefe A fairly comprehensive review of theories of persuasion. Readable by the layperson, but still lots of research based information that forms a foundation for understanding persuasion.

The Persuasion Handbook By James Dillard Price & Michael Pfau This is a fantastic collection of papers on the latest developments in persuasion theory and practice. It addresses persuasion and influence in a variety of contexts such as social influence, politics and sales.

Resistance and Persuasion  Edited by Eric Knowles and James Lin The authors have provided a set of cutting edge papers on resistance in persuasion and how to overcome it. Full of extremely interesting and useful information. Highly recommended.

The Psychology Of Judgement and Decision Making By Scott Plous Without understanding the decision process, it is unlikely you will become persuasive. This book provides an outstanding explanation of the psychology of decision making backed by solid research. It is readable and application to the influence process is readily apparent.

The Science of Influence: How To Get Anyone To Say Yes In 8 Minutes or Less by Kevin Hogan An overview of leading theories in persuasion and influence along with ideas on how to apply them in real life persuasion situations. The information here is based on the very latest research in the science of persuasion.

Persuasion, the Art of Getting What You Want by Dave Lakhani Lakhani takes knowledge from growing up in a cult and years of study and training in persuasion and applies this experience to a highly readable book full of readily usable persuasion skills, techniques and ideas.

The Secrets of Power Persuasion for Sales People By Roger Dawson Dawson (the Author of Power Negotiating) combines knowledge or persuasion theory, and negotiation with practical sales experience to provide a very practical and useful guide to the sales process. A must read for anyone interested in sales.

How To Persuade People Who Don't Want to be Persuaded by Joel Bauers and Mark Levy Based on "in the trenches" experience as corporate pitchman, the authors provide proven presuasion strategies and influence techniques. Discover how to get what you want every time!