

So he began searching for graduate programs that were still accepting applications from individuals who wanted to study human behavior. By the end of the semester, Cialdini says he was more interested in social psychology than Miss Repinski.Īs his love for social psychology grew, Cialdini quickly realized that he had made a mistake by choosing to study animal behavior in graduate school. However, Cialdini “had a mad crush” on another student named Marilyn Repinski, so he decided to take the same social psychology course she did just so that he could get a seat next to her. His goal was to go to graduate school and become an ethologist.

He earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology in 1967.Ĭialdini had every intention to continue his studies in animal behavior after receiving his first degree. Cialdini published his first research article on earthworm pheromones in the peer-review journal Science. Although he studied psychology in college, his focus at the time was animal behavior. Educational BackgroundĬialdini enrolled at the University of Wisconsin in 1963. He recognized that if he wanted to maximize the chances that a member of a particular group would comply with a request, he needed to take into account the dominant social norms of that specific group. Cialdini noticed that each group had its own code of conduct and characteristic tendencies. From a young age he learned that different groups in his community had to be approached in a slightly different way if he wanted to gain their approval. Early Interest in Social PsychologyĪlthough not much has been documented about Cialdini’s early years, he has revealed that his childhood experiences ignited his interest in social psychology and behavioral science. He is of Italian descent and was raised in what he describes as an “entirely Italian family.” Interestingly, Cialdini’s Italian family lived in a neighborhood that was primarily Polish, which was located in Milwaukee-a city that was historically German. Robert Beno Cialdini was born on Apin Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He is often referred to as the “godfather of influence.” Robert Cialdini’s Early Years

His research is focused on uncovering why people say “yes” to certain requests and how to apply these findings ethically in the business world. Robert Cialdini is an American social psychologist who specializes in the science of influence.
