Having an argument is almost an everyday part of our life. With her mother’s, friends, siblings, or formal settings like debate competitions, MUNs, and so on; we do not hesitate and want to prove a point. Imagine a cheat sheet which gives you a guarantee to win every argument- would be so much fun right? It’s not necessarily essential to have the most persuasive arguments or the loudest voice to win an argument. Hence, this article will provide you with 5 psychological tricks to win an argument. This might not be a cheat sheet, but knowing these will definitely give you an upper hand in any argument.
The Compliment Sandwich
Imagine that you congratulate someone to start the conversation, then go ahead and criticise them. How would that make them feel? That is precisely this method. “You’ve made a really good point about…” is a wonderful place to start. Next, introduce your counterargument, “However, the data actually suggests the opposite…”, and end with “It’s clear you’re thinking deeply about this!” By using this strategy, you soften the blow and increase your opponent’s receptivity to your argument.
For example, you and your friend are arguing if pizza should have pineapple as a topping or not. You might say- “I totally get why you love the sweet and savory combo, it might definitely be tasty” and then continue with “But did you know that most chefs consider the acidity of pineapple to overpower the rest of the flavors?” and then conclude with “I love how unique your taste is”.
Read More: How to Speak so that People Will Listen: Psychology Behind Communication
The Quiet Approach
At times, keeping quiet can have greater impact than speaking up. Maintain steady eye contact and remain mute as your opponent continues to shout. This unsettles them, compels them to continue elaborating (often exposing the flaws in their own case), or causes them to doubt their own opinions. For instance, instead of yelling at your professor during a disagreement about grades, you just gaze. in silence. As though you were looking into their soul. They’ll eventually become uneasy and either give up or spout, “Okay, where do you think you deserve marks?” You’ve won only by your sheer psychological presence, boom.
Read More: We all need to (and can) get back on our feet after facing an Academic Failure
The Pavlovian Pause
Put them through a series of questions that they will undoubtedly say “yes” to. It’s as if you’re just getting their “yes reflex” going before you ask the actual question. Once they start to agree with you on a regular basis, subtly present your genuine case to win. Consider the scenario where you and your roommate are at odds over getting a good night’s sleep for tomorrow’s class. They will nod when you give them a series of questions, such as “Would your sleep schedule be fixed?” “would you be less grumpy in classes?” (nod). “would you reduce your coffee intake?” (nod). You then make your major point, “Then why not sleep early!” By the time they realise they are nodding, they are essentially agreeing with you out of instinct.
Power of Statistics
Because numbers don’t lie, statistics allow you to be taken seriously by others. Presenting an unexpected statistic throws your opponent off-balance and gives you the appearance of being knowledgeable. For instance, saying “video games make kids violent” would not have the same impact as saying “75% of sample of children displayed signs of aggression after playing video games regularly.” Your stat provides you the advantage even if it is a little questionable (always have a backup source!). It puts them off balance.
Play the Fool
Ask them to explain it to as you are a nine-year-old, as opposed to vehemently disagreeing with their argument. This strategy makes them dissect their argument to its very foundation, which frequently exposes its weaknesses. In addition, even as you guide them into a reasonable trap, it presents you as modest and receptive. When they also give you more details, you can get more time to identify the loopholes in their argument and understand it from a deeper lens.
For instance: According to your coworker, “AI will replace all human jobs.” You reply, “Well, that’s fascinating! Could you explain to me how AI will handle professions like teaching or therapy that call for empathy?” You’ve gently led them to recognise their own oversimplification, so they can stumble. Arguments are similar to chess games in that every move matters and every trick has the potential to alter the result. Sometimes the subtle plays are the ones that lead to victory, so you don’t always need to be the loudest player or have the most aggressive strategy.
These psychological methods are your secret weapons, whether you’re using them to turn their own arguments inside out by playing the fool, stacking your point with a compliment Sandwich, or simply staring calmly like a Zen master. Recall that winning an argument involves more than just establishing your position; it also involves influencing the discussion in your favour by charm, wit, and a little psychological skill. Thus, consider these techniques as your reliable sword and shield the next time you find yourself in a verbal war.
References +
- ETimes.in. (2024, August 28). Psychological tricks to win any argument. The Times of India; Times Of India. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/relationships/work/5-psychological-tricks-to-win-any-argument/photostory/112867625.cms
- Kumaar, S. S. (2024, August 21). 15 Psychological Tricks The Most Clever People Use To Win Any Argument. YourTango; YourTango. https://www.yourtango.com/self/psychological-tricks-clever-people-use-win-any-argument
- Nelson, J. (2024, June 4). 33 Psychological Tricks To Help You Win Arguments And Make Others Uncomfortable. Thought Catalog. https://thoughtcatalog.com/january-nelson/2019/06/33-psychological-tricks-to-help-you-win-arguments-and-make-others-uncomfortable/
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