Ask for a High Precise Range

While negotiating, you should ask for a range of prices. Researchers compared different requests for an $80k salary:

• Backdown Range: $70k - $80k (target at top)
• Bracketing Range: $75 - $85k (target in middle)
• Bolstering Range: $80k - $90k (target at bottom)
• Bump Up Point: $90k (single high point)

A bolstering range produced the highest salary (Ames & Mason, 2015).

You should also request a precise range (e.g., $81k to $84k).

Precise numbers activate a precise mental ruler. One interval in this scale is less distance than one interval in a “zoomed out” scale.

...the resolution of this scale might also influence the amount of adjustment. X units of adjustment along a fine-resolution scale will cover less objective distance than the same number of units of adjustment along a coarse-resolution scale. (Janiszewski & Uy, 2008, p. 121)

Your counterpart will be less likely to move away from a precise range because this movement feels larger.

• Ames, D. R., & Mason, M. F. (2015). Tandem anchoring: Informational and politeness effects of range offers in social exchange. Journal of personality and social psychology, 108(2), 254.
• Janiszewski, C., & Uy, D. (2008). Precision of the anchor influences the amount of adjustment. Psychological Science, 19(2), 121-127.