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Defending

 

Techniques > Conversation techniques > Elements of the Conversation > Defending

Description | Example | Discussion | See also

 

Description

When talking with others, a part of our speech can be in defending.

A natural use of defending is to provide support for an argument we make, pre-emptively finding ways to defuse the challenges others might to what we have proposed. This may be done by gradually building up the case and then making the proposition, or alternatively stating what we believe and then adding reasons for doing so afterwards.

If we do not add justifications to argument (and perhaps even if we do) then others may argue against us, just stating us as wrong or criticizing our reasoning. When this happens, we usually leap to defend what we have said, and the attack-defend pattern can continue for some time. If we feel that the attack is personal, then we will switch from defending the argument to defending our selves. In doing so, we may easily become emotional and irrational.

As well as defending ourselves and our arguments we may also defend other people and the things they have said. This helps build the bond with the other person, improving our relationship with them.

Example

We should go out today because we haven't been out recently and I want to get a few things.

Leave her alone! That was an unnecessary personal attack.

Yes, I know it's irrational, but I want to do it.

Discussion

A person may have elements of their personality that leads to defending, for example where they have a poor self-image and consequentfeelings of inadequacy. It may also be based on a desire to be and appear rational, which leads to careful explanation of what is being said and the rationale behind it.

When we defend, we may do so with carefully reasoned logic, but often we use weak argument and fallacies. We may also use simple assertions of belief or emotional statements that can have elements of coercion in them, effectively saying 'If you disagree, then you will be a bad person for upsetting me, which will then justify my attacking you in return.' In this way, defending can become attacking, which forces the other person to defend.

Attacking the person is a common method of distraction as it causes the other person to move from promoting or defending their argument to defending their ego. As this becomes more emotional, the original argument may be forgotten, which may well be the primary intent of the attacker.

See also

Argument, Fallacies

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Site Menu

| Home | Top | Quick Links | Settings |

Main sections: | Disciplines | Techniques | Principles | Explanations | Theories |

Other sections: | Blog! | Quotes | Guest articles | Analysis | Books | Help |

More pages: | Contact | Caveat | About | Students | Webmasters | Awards | Guestbook | Feedback | Sitemap | Changes |

Settings: | Computer layout | Mobile layout | Small font | Medium font | Large font | Translate |

 

 

Please help and share:

 

Quick links

Disciplines

* Argument
* Brand management
* Change Management
* Coaching
* Communication
* Counseling
* Game Design
* Human Resources
* Job-finding
* Leadership
* Marketing
* Politics
* Propaganda
* Rhetoric
* Negotiation
* Psychoanalysis
* Sales
* Sociology
* Storytelling
* Teaching
* Warfare
* Workplace design

Techniques

* Assertiveness
* Body language
* Change techniques
* Closing techniques
* Conversation
* Confidence tricks
* Conversion
* Creative techniques
* General techniques
* Happiness
* Hypnotism
* Interrogation
* Language
* Listening
* Negotiation tactics
* Objection handling
* Propaganda
* Problem-solving
* Public speaking
* Questioning
* Using repetition
* Resisting persuasion
* Self-development
* Sequential requests
* Storytelling
* Stress Management
* Tipping
* Using humor
* Willpower

Principles

+ Principles

Explanations

* Behaviors
* Beliefs
* Brain stuff
* Conditioning
* Coping Mechanisms
* Critical Theory
* Culture
* Decisions
* Emotions
* Evolution
* Gender
* Games
* Groups
* Habit
* Identity
* Learning
* Meaning
* Memory
* Motivation
* Models
* Needs
* Personality
* Power
* Preferences
* Research
* Relationships
* SIFT Model
* Social Research
* Stress
* Trust
* Values

Theories

* Alphabetic list
* Theory types

And

About
Guest Articles
Blog!
Books
Changes
Contact
Guestbook
Quotes
Students
Webmasters

 

| Home | Top | Menu | Quick Links |

© Changing Works 2002-
Massive Content — Maximum Speed