6 Verbal Tricks To Make An Aggressive Person Sorry

Charisma on Command
22 Jan 201811:45
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThe video script explores the dynamics of conversational bullying and provides strategies to navigate such interactions effectively. It analyzes an interview between Cathy Newman and Jordan Peterson, highlighting common manipulative tactics like the 'so-you're-saying trap,' 'assuming the sale,' and the 'smash technique.' The summary emphasizes the importance of recognizing these tactics to maintain respect and composure. It also offers advice on how to persuade others by avoiding straw man arguments, using visual imagery, and showing alignment with the other person's views. The analysis suggests that addressing underlying emotional concerns could lead to more productive conversations.

Takeaways
  • πŸ—£οΈ **Recognize Aggressive Tactics**: Be aware of early signs of passive-aggressive behavior in a conversation, such as tone and word choice, which may indicate an impending attack.
  • 🧐 **Identify Hidden Presuppositions**: Be cautious of questions that imply assumptions about your stance and be ready to challenge those presuppositions.
  • πŸ”„ **Avoid the 'So-You're-Saying' Trap**: When someone oversimplifies or misrepresents your point, correct them by reiterating your actual statement.
  • 🚫 **Don't Fall for 'Assuming the Sale'**: Be alert to tactics where others imply consent or agreement before it's given, and address this by clarifying your position.
  • πŸ€” **Pause and Reflect**: Take time to think before responding to questions, especially when they are complex or loaded.
  • πŸ“‰ **Manage Conversational Pace**: Slow down the conversation to handle one question or point at a time, preventing being overwhelmed by rapid or multiple inquiries.
  • 🧘 **Adopt a Relaxed Posture**: Maintain a calm demeanor to help you think more clearly and signal to your brain that you're in control.
  • πŸ–ΌοΈ **Use Visual Imagery**: Employ concrete examples to make abstract points more relatable and emotionally compelling.
  • 🀝 **Find Common Ground**: Seek to align with your conversation partner by showing that your views are not necessarily in opposition, but can be complementary.
  • 🚫 **Avoid Straw Man Arguments**: Refrain from misrepresenting the other person's arguments; instead, engage with their actual beliefs and positions.
  • πŸ† **Persuasion Through Consistency**: Highlight how the other person's actions or previous statements are already in line with your perspective, encouraging agreement without them feeling they need to change their stance.
Q & A
  • What is the 'so-you're-saying trap' and how can it be avoided?

    -The 'so-you're-saying trap' is a conversational tactic where someone oversimplifies or mischaracterizes what you actually said, often by starting with 'So you're saying...'. To avoid it, you can clarify by saying 'Well, actually, what I was saying is...' and then restate your position more accurately.

  • How can you identify when someone is about to attack you in a conversation?

    -You can often identify an impending attack by the tone of voice and word choice of the other person. Phrases like 'Well, what do you have to say for yourself?' can signal that the person believes you've done something wrong and is setting a trap for you to fall into.

  • What is the 'assuming the sale' technique and how does it relate to conversational tricks?

    -The 'assuming the sale' technique is a business tactic where a salesperson implies a sale before the customer has agreed, like asking which car interior you prefer before you've decided to buy. In conversation, it's when someone's words imply that you believe something you don't, and they don't explicitly state it, which can lead to you defending a position you don't actually hold.

  • How does Jordan Peterson respond to Cathy Newman's questions that contain hidden presuppositions?

    -Jordan Peterson responds by carefully listening to Cathy's questions, identifying the hidden presuppositions, and then addressing those presuppositions before answering the question directly. This prevents him from arguing for something he doesn't believe.

  • What is the 'smash technique' and how can it be countered in a conversation?

    -The 'smash technique' is when a person combines different terms or concepts and moves through them quickly, not allowing the other person time to disagree with the embedded statements. To counter it, slow down the conversation tempo and address one question or point at a time.

  • Why is it important to pause and not rush when responding to questions in a potentially aggressive conversation?

    -Pausing gives you time to think and formulate a response, rather than reacting impulsively. It also prevents you from falling into traps set by conversational bullies and allows you to carefully consider the presuppositions and implications in the questions.

  • What is the role of visual imagery in making abstract points more persuasive?

    -Visual imagery helps to make abstract concepts more concrete and relatable. It adds an emotional component that can make the point more compelling and easier for the audience to understand and connect with.

  • How can you show that you are genuinely engaging with someone's point of view, even if you disagree with them?

    -You can show genuine engagement by asking for clarification, repeating their points to ensure you understand them correctly, and addressing their real points rather than creating a straw man. This demonstrates respect and a willingness to understand their perspective.

  • What is the significance of finding common ground when trying to persuade someone?

    -Finding common ground helps to show the person that they don't need to change their entire perspective to agree with you. It can make them more open to your arguments and less defensive, as they realize they already share some beliefs with you.

  • Why is it important to maintain a relaxed posture during a tense conversation?

    -A relaxed posture signals to your brain that you are in control and helps you think more clearly. It can reduce the feeling of being under attack and prevent you from becoming overly defensive or aggressive in your responses.

  • How does Jordan Peterson use the concept of evolutionary history to support his argument about societal structures?

    -Jordan Peterson uses the concept of evolutionary history to argue that there is a continuity in the way animals and human beings organize their structures, which is inevitable due to the lengthy process of evolution. He emphasizes the point with a concrete example to make the concept more relatable.

  • What is the 'gotcha' moment and how does it affect the persuasiveness of an argument?

    -The 'gotcha' moment is when someone appears to catch their opponent in a contradiction or error. While it might seem like a victory, it can actually make the other person feel defensive and less open to persuasion. It's more effective to create a collaborative atmosphere where both parties feel they are on the same team.

Outlines
00:00
πŸ—£οΈ Handling Conversational Bullying

This paragraph discusses how to deal with conversational bullying, where people use tactics to make you appear foolish or to trap you into agreeing with a misrepresentation of your views. It highlights an interview between Cathy Newman and Jordan Peterson as an example. The speaker explains common tricks such as the 'so-you're-saying trap,' where the bully oversimplifies or misrepresents your statements. The paragraph also covers how to counteract these tactics by restating your position clearly and identifying hidden presuppositions in the bully's questions.

05:00
πŸ§β€β™‚οΈ Maintaining Composure and Understanding Frames

The second paragraph emphasizes the importance of maintaining a relaxed posture and giving yourself time to think before responding to questions, as demonstrated by Jordan Peterson. It also introduces the concept of 'frames' and 'frame games,' which are underlying conversational structures that can influence the interaction. The paragraph explains the 'smash technique,' where a bully combines different terms or concepts to create a trap. It suggests slowing down the conversation to address each point individually. Additionally, it provides advice on persuading someone in a debate by avoiding straw man arguments, using visual imagery, and showing common ground.

10:03
🀝 Finding Common Ground and Avoiding 'Gotcha' Moments

The final paragraph critiques the use of the 'gotcha' phrase, which can make the other person feel foolish rather than enlightened. It suggests that instead of answering every question directly, it might be more effective to address the underlying emotional concerns of the conversational partner. The paragraph points out that Jordan Peterson's role in the interview was not necessarily to convince Cathy Newman but to engage in a debate for the audience. It also invites viewers to comment and discuss the content, and to subscribe for further interaction and notifications.

Mindmap
Keywords
πŸ’‘Conversational Bullying
Conversational bullying refers to the act of subtly manipulating a conversation to make the other person appear less intelligent or to trap them into agreeing with a distorted version of their own argument. In the video, Cathy Newman is shown using this tactic against Jordan Peterson by twisting his words and implying he has done something wrong, which is a key theme in the discussion of how to handle aggressive conversational tactics.
πŸ’‘Straw Man
A straw man is a common logical fallacy where someone distorts, exaggerates, or misrepresents an opponent's argument, making it easier to attack. In the script, Cathy is accused of using this tactic by oversimplifying or misrepresenting Jordan's statements, such as when she asks if he's saying 'women have some sort of duty to fix the crisis of masculinity,' which is not what he actually said.
πŸ’‘Presuppositions
Presuppositions are assumptions that are implied but not directly stated. In the video, Cathy's questions contain presuppositions, such as assuming that Jordan believes women should 'put up with' something, which he does not. Jordan counters this by identifying the hidden presupposition and clarifying his actual stance.
πŸ’‘Smash Technique
The smash technique is a method of quickly combining different points or arguments to make it difficult for the other person to address each point individually. Cathy uses this by linking 'abuse' and 'anger' in a way that implies Jordan's followers are abusive, which he must address to clarify his position.
πŸ’‘Frame Games
Frame games involve controlling the context or the way a topic is discussed to gain an advantage. The video suggests that understanding frame games is important to navigate conversations where the other party may be trying to manipulate the discussion. An example from the script is when Cathy frames Jordan's audience as predominantly male, implying divisiveness.
πŸ’‘Assume the Sale
This term, borrowed from business, refers to the tactic of assuming a sale has been made before the customer has agreed to buy. In conversation, it's used to imply agreement or belief in something that hasn't been stated. Cathy uses this when she asks why women should 'put up with' something, assuming there is something to put up with and that Jordan believes they should.
πŸ’‘Visual Imagery
Visual imagery is the use of descriptive language that appeals to the senses, particularly sight, to make abstract concepts more concrete and relatable. Jordan uses visual imagery to explain the concept of evolutionary continuity, making it more understandable and emotionally resonant for the audience.
πŸ’‘Persuasion
Persuasion is the art of influencing someone's opinion or actions through reasoning, argument, or appeal. The video discusses various techniques of persuasion, including avoiding straw man arguments, using visual imagery, and showing common ground. Jordan's approach to persuasion involves demonstrating alignment with Cathy's values, such as her willingness to risk offense for the pursuit of truth.
πŸ’‘Consistency Principle
The consistency principle is the psychological tendency for people to prefer to remain consistent with things they have already said or done. Jordan uses this principle by highlighting Cathy's own behavior that aligns with his argument, making her more likely to agree with him without feeling the need to change her position.
πŸ’‘Emotional Concern
Emotional concern refers to the underlying feelings or concerns that drive a person's stance or argument. The video suggests that addressing these deeper emotional concerns can be more effective than focusing solely on the logical aspects of an argument. Cathy's emotional concern is identified as perceiving Jordan as an adversary, which Jordan could have addressed to find common ground.
πŸ’‘GOTCHA
A 'gotcha' moment is when someone feels they have caught their opponent in a contradiction or mistake. While it can be satisfying for the person making the point, the video suggests that using 'gotcha' moments, as Jordan does, may not be the most persuasive approach as it can make the other person feel foolish rather than convinced.
Highlights

The importance of recognizing conversational bullying tactics and learning how to handle them to earn more respect in a discussion.

Identifying aggressive attitudes early through tone and word choice as a sign of an impending attack in a conversation.

The use of the word 'admit' by Cathy Newman implies Jordan Peterson has done something wrong, setting a confrontational tone.

Being aware of passive-aggressive cues that signal an impending attack, such as the phrase 'Well, what do you have to say for yourself?'

The 'so-you're-saying trap' where opponents oversimplify or mischaracterize your statements to create a straw man argument.

Avoiding the trap by clarifying your actual point with phrases like 'Well, actually, what I was saying is...'

The tactic of 'assuming the sale' where presuppositions are embedded in questions, forcing you to argue from a disadvantaged position.

Identifying and calling out hidden presuppositions in a conversation to avoid being manipulated into agreeing with them.

Jordan Peterson's careful listening to Cathy's questions to catch unstated assumptions and address them directly.

The 'smash technique' where unrelated terms are combined to create a trap that forces acceptance of a hidden premise.

Slowing down the conversation tempo to tackle one question or point at a time to counter the overwhelm caused by rapid questioning.

The importance of not straw manning the other person's ideas, even when they do it to you, and instead engaging with their real points.

Using visual imagery to make abstract points more understandable and emotionally compelling for persuasion.

The strategy of showing that the other person already agrees with you by aligning their behavior or previous statements with your argument.

The desire for consistency in one's beliefs and actions as a powerful tool for persuasion when someone is firmly entrenched in their position.

Jordan Peterson's approach to debating for an audience and promoting his book, rather than necessarily trying to change Cathy's mind.

The suggestion that addressing the deeper unstated emotional concerns of the other party could lead to a more productive and less argumentative discussion.

The recommendation to assume a relaxed posture and pause after each question to maintain control and think clearly during a tense conversation.

The advice to study up on frames and frame games to understand the underlying conversational dynamics that are not explicitly stated.

Transcripts
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