Final answer:
The son used the foot-in-the-door technique by first asking for an expensive new PlayStation4 and games, and then, after being denied, a lesser request for one new game for their PlayStation3, which was granted. The technique relies on the principle that agreeing to small requests increases the likelihood of agreeing to larger ones later, a method often used in sales and marketing.
Step-by-step explanation:
The son in the scenario used the foot-in-the-door technique to get his parent to agree to a smaller request after an initial larger one was denied. This technique works because after agreeing to a smaller request, people are more likely to agree to a subsequent larger one. In the example of a store owner selling an expensive product, they might first get the customer to agree to a small addition like the best data plan, and then suggest a larger add-on like a three-year extended warranty. This persuasive method leverages the principle of consistency where one's past behavior often directs future behavior.
Another instance of the foot-in-the-door technique is observable in everyday family dynamics. For instance, a teenager might first ask for a minor extension of curfew and, once granted, might proceed to request for a more substantial privilege, anticipating that the previously granted smaller request will increase the likelihood of the larger request being approved.
Marketing strategies and sales also frequently employ this technique, reinforcing the concept that people can be influenced and conditioned in certain behaviors. The act of agreeing to smaller favors sets the stage for larger commitments, which can also impact societal perspectives on individual autonomy and freedom, particularly in the context of determinism versus free will.