Ben Franklin effect

World Health Organisation building from west

The Ben Franklin effect is a psychological phenomenon where a person who has performed a favor for someone is more likely to do another favor for that person than if they had received a favor from that person. This effect is named after Benjamin Franklin, who described this phenomenon in his autobiography.

Origin

The concept originates from an anecdote in Benjamin Franklin's autobiography. Franklin, seeking to win over a rival legislator, asked to borrow a rare book from the legislator's library. The legislator agreed, and Franklin returned the book with a thank-you note. Subsequently, the legislator became more friendly towards Franklin, and they eventually became good friends. Franklin concluded that doing a favor for someone can lead to increased liking and cooperation.

Psychological Explanation

The Ben Franklin effect is often explained through the lens of cognitive dissonance theory. Cognitive dissonance occurs when a person experiences discomfort due to holding conflicting beliefs or behaviors. When someone does a favor for another person, they may experience dissonance if they do not particularly like that person. To resolve this dissonance, they may change their attitude to align with their behavior, thus increasing their liking for the person they helped.

Applications

The Ben Franklin effect has practical applications in various fields, including psychology, business, and interpersonal relationships. For example, in a business setting, asking a colleague for a small favor can build rapport and foster a cooperative working environment. In personal relationships, doing favors for each other can strengthen bonds and increase mutual affection.

Related Concepts

• Reciprocity (social psychology)
• Cognitive dissonance
• Benjamin Franklin
• Interpersonal relationships
• Social psychology

See Also

• Foot-in-the-door technique
• Self-perception theory
• Compliance (psychology)