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Spin techniques have harmed credibility of politiciansRELEASE DATE: 14th December 2002An analysis of political speeches has shown that leading politicians have ditched their innate communication skills in favour of spin techniques.
The analysis shows that leading politicians are clearly using several performance systems in a bid to win over their audience. However, such techniques are likely to turn off their listeners. After viewing several hours of political speeches, psychologist Graham Jones, who runs The Presentation Business, is convinced that so-called presentation techniques have been acquired by politicians in the hope that it will make them more endearing to their audience. However, he says that these techniques are actually off-putting and stop the politicians getting their real message across.
‘The danger is,’ said Mr Jones, ‘that the politician concentrates on the technique rather than the message. All the audience notices is that something is not quite right. They don’t analyse what is wrong but they make an instant decision that the politician is either covering something up or lying.’
According to the study by The Presentation Business, Tony Blair started to use a palm upward gesture in recent years. This is thought to indicate openness towards an audience. But it is working against him, says Graham Jones.
‘He appears to be spending so much time concentrating on his gestures that he is not getting his message across well. The reason he became party leader was because he communicated well. The spin doctors appear to have got to him and convinced him of the need to make particular gestures. The result is he now looks like a robot. All he needs to do is ignore the advice he has been given and be himself.’
According to The Presentation Business, other politicians are making similar mistakes. Iain Duncan Smith, for instance, seems to concentrate on a great deal of pointing, says Graham Jones. ‘He didn’t use to do this, but now his image makers have got to him they have made him even less believable.’
ENDS
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Graham Jones is available to the media for comment
Graham Jones is available for comment and quoting in articles and on broadcasts. He is a regular contributor to a variety of media and can talk to you about any aspect of human communication.
Contact him on: 0118 336 9712 |
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