Conversations on Polarizing Topics Are Possible. If You’re Up for It, Here’s How to Start - By Caitlyn Finton - Behavioral Scientist
Curated from: behavioralscientist.org
2
Explore the World's Best Ideas
Join today and uncover 100+ curated journeys from 50+ topics. Unlock access to our mobile app with extensive features.
The necessity of engaging in difficult conversations
As people, we develop our ideas by interacting with others, testing our thinking, and getting feedback. Discussing controversial topics with our family and peers helps us learn and grow.
However, these conversations can reveal potentially relationship-ending opinions. Losing out on these conversations makes us more estranged and entrenched in our own ways of thinking.
Some tips can help you to approach these conversations and keep discussions productive.
9
49 reads
Consider the other person's background
Before you start a conversation with someone, take a moment to consider how their life may have shaped their opinions.
People's experiences and beliefs may change how people interact with scientific evidence. People don't trust science on certain topics because they don't yet know enough about it.
The solution is to simply tell people the facts, remedying their knowledge deficit and increasing support for scientific ideas.
9
34 reads
Use personal stories
You can shape a person's mind on a controversial topic with the "deep canvassing" technique.
Deep canvassing uses a person's specific experiences to change their views on a topic. It is done by guiding them through nonjudgmental conversations about personal narratives related to the topic.
8
35 reads
Actively listen and acknowledge the views of the other person
This conversation strategy involves a variety of verbal and nonverbal cues, such as restating comments, asking questions, and showing your attention.
In addition, don't be afraid to briefly pause a conversation that’s heating up to keep emotions under control. This will help both parties to be more objective in assessing one another's arguments.
8
29 reads
IDEAS CURATED BY
Holden O.'s ideas are part of this journey:
Learn more about communication with this collection
How to overcome unwanted thoughts
How to manage intrusive thoughts
How to change your attitude towards intrusive thoughts
Related collections
Similar ideas
3 ideas
19 ideas
3 ideas
Read & Learn
20x Faster
without
deepstash
with
deepstash
with
deepstash
Personalized microlearning
—
100+ Learning Journeys
—
Access to 200,000+ ideas
—
Access to the mobile app
—
Unlimited idea saving
—
—
Unlimited history
—
—
Unlimited listening to ideas
—
—
Downloading & offline access
—
—
Supercharge your mind with one idea per day
Enter your email and spend 1 minute every day to learn something new.
I agree to receive email updates