How to Win an Argument, According to Science - Deepstash
How to Win an Argument, According to Science

How to Win an Argument, According to Science

Curated from: entrepreneur.com

Ideas, facts & insights covering these topics:

7 ideas

·

10.4K reads

29

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.

Ask for their point of view

To gain trust and build rapport, you need to hear out what the other person thinks without interrupting or disagreeing.

Try asking open-ended questions, like: "Why do you think that?"

902

1.86K reads

Mirror your opponent

If you mimic your opponent (in a subtle way), they are more likely to believe you.

For example, if they are sitting cross-legged, wait a few seconds and cross your legs too. And make sure that what you are doing is not too obvious.

731

1.37K reads

Make direct eye contact

...while you listen. This makes the speaker's arguments less persuasive, which makes your opinion look strong.

Fix the speaker in your sight as soon as they start speaking.

737

1.41K reads

Reiterate what you understand

Repeating an argument back to the speaker can develop trust by proving that you're listening.

Try paraphrasing what you understand, using: " so you're suggesting ... because... ?"

769

1.41K reads

How to present your point of view

  • Know your facts thoroughly
  • Use scientific-looking visuals (elements that people associate with science, like formula or graphs).
  • Demonstrate that other people agree.
  • Using phrases that indicate a degree of uncertainty makes you seem more interesting interested in finding the truth than in winning arguments.
  • End your sentences with verbal affirmations (e.g." isn't it?").
  • Lower the pitch of your voice. It improves your powers of persuasion.

838

1.43K reads

How to get agreement

  1. Instead of attacking someone's ideas, try taking your opponent's basic beliefs and developing them into an absurd conclusion.
  2. Flag your opponent's' dangerous beliefs.  It may have a positive effect on neutralizing your opponent.
  3. Identify the shared ground between you and give genuine praise.

772

1.52K reads

Pitfalls to avoid

  • Watch your posture. The most effective one is with your feet together and palms down or letting them move with the words.
  • Don't get nasty. Validate your opponent's self-worth by being nice to them so they will be more receptive.
  • Avoid using too many facts. People think emotionally, so moral intuitions often weight stronger than factual accuracy.

755

1.42K reads

IDEAS CURATED BY

lila_ls

Communicator. Beer geek. Gamer. Analyst. Travel specialist. Freelance explorer.

Lila S.'s ideas are part of this journey:

Lifelong Learners

Learn more about communication with this collection

How to apply new knowledge in everyday life

Why continuous learning is important

How to find and evaluate sources of knowledge

Related collections

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.

Email

I agree to receive email updates