The Psychology of SalesmanshipAtkinson, William Walker
Science
The Psychology of Salesmanship
Atkinson, William Walker
Selling -- Psychological aspects
VI. _Imagination._ This mental state is defined as: "The exercise of
that power or faculty of the mind by which it conceives and forms ideal
pictures of things communicated to it by the organs of sense." In the
mental process of a purchase, the faculty of imagination takes up the
idea of the object in which the Associated Interest has been aroused,
and which has been made the subject of Consideration, and endeavors to
picture the object in use and being employed in different ways, or as in
possession of the buyer. One must use his imagination in order to
realize what good a thing will be to him; how he may use it; how it
will look; how it will sell; how it will serve its purpose; how it will
"work out" or "make good" when purchased. A woman gazing at a hat will
use her imagination to picture how she will look in it. The man looking
at the book will use his imagination in picturing its uses and the
pleasure to be derived therefrom. The business man will use his
imagination to picture the probable sale of the goods, their display,
their adaptability to his trade, etc. Another will picture himself
enjoying the gains from his purchase. Imagination plays an important
part in the psychology of the sale. It is the direct inciter of desire
and inclination. The successful salesman realizes this, and feeds the
flame of the imagination with the oil of Suggestion. In fact, Suggestion
receives its power through the Imagination. The Imagination is the
channel through which Suggestion reaches the mind. Salesmen and ad.
writers strive to arouse the imagination of their prospective customers
by clever word-painting. The Imagination is the "direct wire" to Desire.
From Imagination it is a short step to the next mental stage which is
called:
VII. _Inclination._ This mental state is defined as: "A leaning or bent
of the mind or will; desire; propensity." It is the "want to" feeling.
It is the mental state of which Desire is an advanced stage. Inclination
has many degrees. From a faint inclination or bent in a certain
direction, it rises in the scale until it becomes an imperious demand,
brooking no obstacle or hindrance. Many terms are employed to designate
the various stages of Inclination, as for instance: Desire, wish, want,
need, inclination, leaning, bent, predilection, propensity, penchant,
liking, love, fondness, relish, longing, hankering, aspiration,
ambition, appetite, hunger, passion, craving, lust, etc.
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