Wednesday in class we discussed influence and the extent that pharmaceutical companies go to for their product to be the best in the market. These large companies have the capabilities of investing billions into free gifts, lavish dinners, or even a round of golf at the doctor’s favorite country club. I personally think that this is a good way for these companies to influence doctors to prescribe their medications over the competing brands. These companies are spending millions of dollars on research and experimental testing; so pharmaceutical representatives want to make their companies drug known. By offering free gifts like pens, mugs, and note tablets, the companies goal is to make doctors recognize a certain brand. Think about it this way, doctors use a pen to write out prescriptions all day, for multiple types of medication. If he happens to be writing out a prescription for a certain brand of birth control, he happens to pull out of his pocket a pen that has some birth control company on it, chances are he is going to prescribe that certain brand.

            The power of influence is not only present in the pharmaceutical industry. It also ties into common every day appearance, working in groups, and cooperation. Physical appearance is an important factor in being capable of influencing people. The way you dress is another important factors. You do not want a lawyer representing you if he or she is dressing in slippers, sweatpants, and a cut off tee shirt. When working in groups we tend to work with people that are similar to us. I personally think that we as humans adapt to create a social bond with people that we share a common interest with. Cooperation between individuals can be something like dividing a task at work by 50%. You take half and your partner takes the other half. All three of these types of influence create a sense of “liking.” When positive emotions bleed together, a strong healthy relationship is formed that will be hard to break.