Contents
- General information
- Rules
- Methods
- Why?
- nitpicking
- False compromise
- Obvious and reliable source
- Focus on the little things
- Substitution
- Lack of evidence
- Pull to the side
- Example of the lawyer Cochrane
- Issuing a correlation for a cause
- Temporal induction
- Theoretical formalism
- Relativism
- Negation of logic
- Converting positive to negative
- Qualitative and quantitative changes
- Countermeasure methods
- Completion
Hello dear blog readers! Demagogic techniques are most often used by politicians. To hide something, to be in a more advantageous position than the opponent, and in general, simply wanting to confuse and win over to their side those who happened to be a witness to the discussion.
Accordingly, demagogy is such a psychological game, the purpose of which is, if not victory, then at least its illusion.
And today we will look at the basic rules and methods that will help you master an important part of oratory — to win arguments.
General information
Demagogy, translated from Greek, means «management of the people.» Now, with the word demagogue, most people have unpleasant associations. Although initially such a person was valued, because he could skillfully and clearly express his thoughts, convince and influence the opinions of others.
But gradually, given the popularity among politicians, people became suspicious of this art. Believing that those who use demagogic methods are liars, unworthy of trust and respect. That they simply seek to manipulate others for their own good.
Rules
Confidence
If you want to influence others with your speech, you must respect yourself. And with all appearances to show how confident they are in their words. If the demagogue does not feel his superiority over those with whom he communicates, he will lose.
And no matter what iron arguments he cites, uncertainty is read by non-verbal signs. So, raise your head above and broadcast, defend your point of view no matter what.
Freedom
If you are embarrassed, closing in on yourself every time your opponent tries to catch you in the wrong, nothing good will come of it. Feel that you are a free person. Which has the right to express their opinion, differ from others and even make mistakes.
The main thing is not to overdo it, as familiarity and swagger, arrogance and rudeness will only repel, causing unpleasant associations with your personality. No one has canceled upbringing, so try to do without humiliation and insults.
Force
Always, even if your arguments were refuted, some data was completely rejected due to untruthfulness, stay on your own to the end. Yes, you have been figured out, but you should not admit it.
This move may raise doubts among witnesses about the correctness of their conclusions. And it is important to keep the opponent in this game as long as possible. So don’t give up under any pretext.
Trick
If you need to play for time, never answer questions directly. Julita, add unnecessary information, move on to another topic, but in no case give a direct answer.
Because otherwise, those present at the dispute will have a clear opinion about you and the situation in which you understand. The logical chain of your discussion should simply be absent. Then it will be difficult to accuse you of something and present arguments that will play against you.
Methods
It is important to study them not only in order to influence the opinions of others and manage them, but also in order not to succumb to the opponent’s provocations. Thus, owning this material, you can protect yourself and loved ones.
Why?
If you often ask the enemy this question, he will simply be confused. Since it is not so easy to answer it all the time. Consequently, he will begin to stutter and get nervous.
Which will be a huge advantage for you. After all, what serious things can you talk about with a person who is clearly unable to explain banal things and convey his point of view?
nitpicking
This is a risky move. Since the interlocutor can simply convict you of the fact that you have deviated from the topic and become personal. But if you act carefully, then even one hit in a weak spot will guarantee you victory.
He will either give up himself, or will begin to respond inadequately to any of your words in the future. Which, again, is only in your favor, especially if there are witnesses to the dialogue.
False compromise
This is not a search for an alternative solution, and then rejecting it. No, this is an offer to fulfill a request or demand, only with a sarcastic note.
For example, “Do you want me to take out the trash right now? Good. Should I immediately call the manager and say that I’m not going to work anymore, because I don’t have time to do household chores, or later?
Obvious and reliable source
Start your speech impact with the phrase “Scientists have proven a long time ago” or “Even schoolchildren know that …”. Few people dare to refute the well-known information. Therefore, in order not to seem uneducated, the opponent will have no choice but to agree with your point of view.
Focus on the little things
You should be careful to notice inaccuracies in the words of the interlocutor in a timely manner. So that later, relying on them, make a «knight’s move», declaring the incorrectness of his point of view. How can you trust a person who is confused in his own words?
Substitution
This technique involves issuing a consequence for a cause. For example, in the Lozhkin family, children do not have to be physically punished, as they are obedient. But they are obedient because their parents know how to negotiate with them, hear and understand their feelings and needs, and do not immediately grab the belt.
Lack of evidence
It is used only when the interlocutor and the witnesses of the discussion are not particularly versed in the nuances of the topic that caused the dispute. Why a demagogue may well point to the advantage of his position, stating that the opponent did not provide any evidence. Therefore, we can draw appropriate conclusions about the correctness of his opinion.
Pull to the side
It is important not to ignore, but to answer the question asked. Just going a little to the side, switching to a topic similar to the one raised. It is necessary to do it imperceptibly, gradually, otherwise your intention will be understood and asked to return directly to the moment from which you “jumped”.
Example of the lawyer Cochrane
Cochran represented O’Jay Simpson in court, who was accused of murdering his wife. The case was not easy, since absolutely all the collected evidence pointed to his involvement in the death of his beloved. But the lawyer managed to cope with this task.
He filed charges against the investigator who handled the case, suspecting him of racism. Simpson was black, as were most of the jurors. This was the first step towards victory. Then he stated that if the bloody glove, which is evidence, does not fit on the defendant’s hand, this will be the main evidence of his innocence.
In short, Cochran won the case. Despite the fact that the glove had shrunk in size due to dried blood.
So, following his example, stand your ground to the end, confuse the defendants and operate with all available facts. Even if they are fictional and completely illogical.
Issuing a correlation for a cause
When there are exceptions to the rules, they cannot be relied upon. A demagogue is quite capable of refuting any truth by seizing on even one example that is the opposite of it.
For example, everyone knows that a healthy lifestyle is useful and necessary for a quality, full and long life. But you can give an example that someone’s neighbor or relative never drank, never smoked, never got sick with anything serious and did exercises in the morning, suddenly took it and died at the age of 30.
While someone, until very old age, drank a glass of vodka every day and ate fatty foods, the last time they went in for sports at school. And that’s because it was physical education lessons.
Temporal induction
Most people tend to think that nothing terrible will ever happen to them. Similar to similar statements and temporal induction. If something did not happen in the past, and in the present, too, then we can confidently say that it will not happen in the future either.
By the way, this method is often self-deception. A person who has committed several crimes and is not caught in any of them relaxes, thinking that his further deeds will go unpunished, which is why he makes a mistake and falls into the hands of the police.
Theoretical formalism
Focusing on the interlocutor’s past mistakes, it can be argued that this time he made the wrong conclusions. It is clear that an inherently negative experience is not proof of the wrong in the present, but such statements will hurt his reputation. Witnesses and arbitrators will be more attentive and suspicious of him.
Relativism
It is used only in the case when you understand that you have lost and there is no chance to justify yourself. You just throw a meaningful phrase: «Everyone has their own truth.»
Negation of logic
It is necessary to rely on emotions, which are very difficult to succumb to logic. Well, what can be rationally answered when they say “Yes, what do you understand in love!”.
Converting positive to negative
It concerns mainly character traits. As such, there are no positive and negative character traits. There is only our attitude towards them. Therefore, even laziness is sometimes useful and resourceful, if you look at it from the other side. Let’s say it’s the ability to relax.
Here, according to this scheme, you can accuse a brave person of recklessness, a cautious person of cowardice and indecision, and adherence to principles with the inability to adequately assess the situation, considering it from different angles and admitting one’s mistakes.
Qualitative and quantitative changes
Emphasis is placed, for example, on quality, which makes it possible to devalue what the opponent said. That’s the difference, how many people die due to some mistake, fifteen or one, the fact is that in any case death is inevitable.
Or, for example, 20 people suffered during vaccination, feeling a deterioration in their health, but 1000 people protected themselves from the onset of a dangerous disease.
Countermeasure methods
If you understand that demagogic methods are being used against you, I suggest the most effective methods of dealing with them. So:
Ignoring
If you ignore any arguments of your opponent and calmly listen to each of them, without refuting or confirming the information, after a certain period of time you will bring the situation to the point that he simply loses control over himself. Yes, this is not an easy way, but it is he who can knock the ground out from under the feet of the enemy.
In a state of anger and impotence, it is quite difficult to think rationally. It is especially useful to maintain your own peace of mind if the person who is trying to offend you in every possible way turns out to be an ordinary troll. That is, those who were paid for such services.
To prove to him for sure nothing will come of it, because it may happen that he himself shares your point of view. But work is work. You can simply agree with his every statement, this also infuriates and eventually reduces the conflict to nothing.
If it is impossible to “hook” a person, get the desired reaction, then it will make sense to spend resources on him.
Reflection
Recognizing the manipulation of the one with whom you are arguing, reflect it. As they say, «all means are good in war», so why not repeat the tricks that he uses in relation to you? Gradually, he will get tired of it and, quite likely, will also infuriate himself, like the previous method.
Witnesses
Enlist the support of, so to speak, arbitrators who will fix the moments that you have come to.
This method is somewhat reminiscent of the court, where lawyers are trying to defend the truth of their ward. And the judge, taking into account the information received from both sides, makes a decision. It is important that the person chosen for the role of arbitrator is not interested in the outcome of the dispute and can objectively perceive and process the information received.
Completion
Finally, I want to recommend you an article on how to argue your opinion. After all, it is the ability to convey, justify your ideas that is the key to success. Even if you are not involved in social activities, this knowledge will not be superfluous.
Take care of yourself and be happy! And also, victory to you in disputes!
The material was prepared by a psychologist, Gestalt therapist, Zhuravina Alina