Dialogue and labeling. Are these helpful in finding volunteers?

J Soc Psychol. 2021 Jan 2;161(1):63-71. doi: 10.1080/00224545.2020.1758017. Epub 2020 Apr 29.

Abstract

Among social influence techniques, a special place is occupied by dialogue involvement - it is not only a means of improving chances for compliance, but it can also perform a synergistic function, reinforcing the workings of other influence techniques. In two field experiments, we explored what effectiveness the technique of dialogue involvement can have in acquiring volunteers (Study 1) and how it functions in combination with the labeling technique (Study 2). The achieved results demonstrate that dialogue involvement not only increases the chance of obtaining agreement to be a volunteer in a day room facility for children or in a pediatric ward of a local hospital, but it also increases the average number of hours that volunteers declare they will work. Dialogue involvement also demonstrates effectiveness in combination with the technique of labeling.

Keywords: charity; dialogue; labelling; social influence; voluntarism.

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Humans
  • Volunteers*