How Graphs Make Us Believe Almost Anything

According to a study from Cornell University, charts make you more persuasive — even when the charts themselves are meaningless.

Researchers Aner Tal and Brian Wansink presented the study participants with a description of a medicine. Half the group were also shown accompanying graphs and charts, that added no new information to the description.

The group that was shown the charts, found the information more persuasive than the control group, even though the graphs and charts added no new information.

Just like the chart up above.

This is good news for marketers. But, with great power comes great responsibility. Use it wisely.

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