How Can You Change Someone Opinion?

Do you ever find yourself in a debate where, despite your persuasive arguments and all the evidence supporting your position, you are unable to win? Is there a methodical approach to effectively persuade someone and alter their viewpoint?

The first and most depressing realization you must make is that facts do not persuade people. Particularly if they already hold an opinion. We all want to THINK that facts or unquestionable research would support our positions in a debate, but research after research demonstrates that when facts conflict with our ideas, our minds are content to ignore or easily explain them away.

In one study, researchers classify participants as believers or deniers based on their response to the question "do you believe in man-made climate change?" Then, they informed some that scientists had reexamined the data and came to the conclusion that the future predictions had been much worse than previously thought, while they informed others that the situation wasn't quite as dire as previously believed. These facts had some fascinating implications for their views.

Individuals who denied the existence of climate change and were informed that conditions will worsen completely disregarded this information, and their views remained the same. But, their opinions shifted far more in that manner if they were informed that things weren't quite as awful. And those who had a strong belief in climate change experienced the same outcome. When informed that things are now expected to go worse, they became more strongly inclined to believe so. Yet, those who were assured it wouldn't be too horrible didn't alter their thoughts in the slightest.

The truth simply served to divide people. People's perceptions and views turn out to be quite persistent once they are formed, according to cognitive experts. In fact, a lot of this is related to our capacity for cooperation as humans, which sets us apart from other species. In the same way that people engage in agriculture, sophisticated computing, hunting, and gathering By working together, we are able to depend on one other's knowledge rather than trying to know everything.

Because of this, it is difficult for us to distinguish between our own and other understandings. In the end, powerful convictions aren't really the result of profound understandings. The phrase "Illusion of Explanatory Depth" describes this. If I asked you to rate how much you knew about, say, toilets, zippers, or computers, the likelihood is that you would say you know far more than you actually do. Continue by attempting to provide a detailed explanation of how a toilet or a zipper works. Sometimes, a small deed can reveal the absurdity of our and other people's opinions.

In one research, after answering questions about public policies such as healthcare, participants were asked to describe in as much detail as possible the consequences of putting those policies into practice. They would soon become less fervent in their convictions. After being aware of their own stupidity In what other way can we subdue these inclinations and win people over in a debate? As it happens, we must concentrate on the shared goal. According to cognitive neuroscientist Tali Sharot this is about concentrating on the goals and areas of agreement.

According to one research, parents who are hesitant to vaccinate their children do so out of concern for autism They wouldn't listen when they told them the facts—that science demonstrates there is no connection between the two—but when they emphasized their shared desire to keep their kids safe and described the effects of vaccinations—which include polio, tetanus, measles, and the mumps—and how those illnesses affect children who get them, they did so without bringing up autism. Following, they were more inclined to vaccinate their children.

Lastly, it is established that people exhibit an in-group and out-group prejudice. Humans have a tendency to be outsiders or persons that we perceive to be unlike ourselves. This can manifest as beliefs as well as physical characteristics, gender, color, or religion. Thus, those who disagree with you are a member of your out-group. Research has demonstrated that individuals are far more inclined to listen to you if you can establish a connection with them and help them perceive you as a member of their in-group rather than as someone who is completely unlike them. Utilize the group that you both belong to as a means of establishing a personal connection.