LEARNIG OBJECTIVES: 1. Learn to identify monipulations. 2. Learn techniques to challenge manipulation.
Hello, young minds!
It’s time for REAL STUFF. )
Ask yourself - do you see when you're being manipulated? Are you manipulating others? Tricky question. Manipulations can be both conscious and unconscious. For instance, by saying the standard phrase "well, everyone knows," you're already engaging in manipulation. How? Let's break down the most common types of manipulations.
Reference in speech to the "mythical" everyone, society, a group of people. Used to give significance to one's position. In this case, the manipulator strengthens their position by artificially "attaching" their opinion and words to the opinion of the majority or the opinion of a specific group. They intentionally contrast the opponent with the group and seek to ridicule or diminish the significance of their arguments. What can a lone individual know when "everyone" knows the opposite?
Examples:
"Everyone knows...", "It's common knowledge...", "Everyone is aware of...", "Anyone can tell you...", "Everyone in the class/group knows...", "The whole world knows...", etc.
How to resist and refute such manipulation?
Method 1 (flip).
It can be refuted with the same words, saying, for example: "On the contrary, everyone knows the opposite, that...(insert your own position here)...," "Anyone across from you will confirm to you that...”
Method 2 (denial of the existence of "mythical all"). You can ask: "Who are they all?" "Why does everyone know this?" "Who are you talking about?”
Method 3 (attacking the logic that everybody = right).
In this case, we refuse to agree that the majority's opinion is inherently correct.
"Everyone believed the Earth was flat and rested on three elephants."
"Everyone joined the Nazi party in the 1930s, would you have joined?"
"Everyone jumped into the well, would you jump into the well?"
Method 4 (direct indication of manipulation).
This is a very effective way. You can say to your opponent:
"Why are you manipulating (and saying everything)?" "Why are you using manipulative techniques and words (everything, everyone)?"