7 scientific strategies to win in any dispute

The debate does not always win the one with more facts. People are emotional, impressionable, so pay attention not only on the bare arguments, but also on how they are presented. Here are some strategies that will help you look more convincing in any dispute.

1. Agree

This strategy sounds weird, but you just do not see how it is used in the films. When a character does not agree with the others, but begins to play along and develop the idea opponent, bringing it to the point of absurdity, and he finally realizes that he was wrong.

A study published in 2014 in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, calls it "paradoxical thinking" and argues that it can really change someone's point of view. This strategy helps the opponent to look at your idea from her and critically rethink.

The main thing is to speak without mockery. Your goal - not to humiliate the person and help him break out of the rut of their own beliefs.

2. The lower the tone of voice

People with a low tone of voice sound more convincing - according to a study in 2016, published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology.

Organizers of the experiment took about a hundred students and recorded them while participating in the debate. It turned out that the guys who deliberately lowered the tone of his voice, the listeners were evaluated as a more influential. Their ideas have attracted more people. The researchers emphasize that it is not so important what a person tone of voice of nature. It's not about how high the tone was originally just when people reduce it, it sounds convincing.

3. Use body language

Body language is recommended to use to form an emotional connection with someone and arrange it yourself. But this principle can be applied at the time of the dispute.

A study in 2016 states that an imitation of another person's movements can help him take your side.

However, it is important that imitation was the most natural. As the professor of neuropsychology at University College London Chris Frith, we generally like people who imitate us, but only as long as we do not notice. Otherwise your opponent suspects you in the manipulation and become more aggressive.

4. Bring your social proof

The concept of social proof offered psychology professor Robert Cialdini. He notes that people often change their minds just because they see how others do it. In particular for this reason that a weight has a celebrity recommendation, even if it is not an expert in the field, he is talking about.

According to Cialdini, social proof - one of the best tactics in the dispute. Quote or give an example of a person's life that is authoritative for the opponent, and it may reconsider its point of view.

5. Establish eye contact

Eye contact, like a mirror body language, it is recommended to use to locate the person or even to seduce him. But in a dispute that might work very differently.

In 2013, in the journal Psychological Sciencefound study was published, claiming that eye contact can make it difficult to communicate if one does not already agree with the speaker. People who focus on the eyes of the speaker, were less receptive to his point of view, the more closed to interaction and persuasion.

6. Reformulate opponent's argument

Reframing the idea of ​​an opponent can force him to take another look at their arguments.

In the study, 2015 Behavioral scientists have searched for the best way to convey the political arguments for people with opposing beliefs. For example, participants in the experiment, who held liberal views, better attitude to the idea of ​​same-sex marriage, when rightly emphasizes in its statement.

Supporters of the conservative position to positively perceive the same idea when he heard that the majority of same-sex couples - loyal patriotic Americans.

Understand what is the main argument of the interlocutor, and reformulate it so that your position is no longer seemed to him wrong.

7. Keep confidence

Often he wins not the one who has more facts, and the one who looks confident. People subconsciously gravitate toward those who seem to them by the experts and listen to those who behaves as if he knew exactly what he is talking. Even if you think you're not the smartest person in the room, your hardness can affect others and persuade them to your side.

Of course, confidence should not turn into aggression and disrespect for other people's arguments. Conversely, the calmer you feel about the criticism, the more impressive look.

What helps you prove it?