Blame

Techniques > Resisting persuasion > Blame

Method | Example | Discussion | See also

Method

Find something wrong and blame the other person for it.

Less direct is to blame the other person's organization or team.

Further out, you can blame third parties.

And again, you can blame inanimate objects and the world at large.

There is a spectrum of blame, and can be range from outraged anger to cool attribution of cause and effect.

When they apologize, you can describe what you want from them in atonement for this sin.

Example

I didn't know about that. You should have told me.

I know you have to say that, but I don't like it. Your company has some stupid rules that I know you don't like either.

Men!!

Discussion

Blaming another person for something is an attack on their identity, and hence will be felt very strongly by them and hence will likely take their mind off whatever it was they were talking about.

Blame can lead to a fight-or-Flight reaction, with them either attacking you back or profusely apologizing (and seeking to make amends).

Blame is not always constructive and can easily damage relationships. In such cases, you may want to tone down the level of blame or displacing it onto other parties. Blaming others for a transgression of the other party is a powerful way of saying 'I'm on your side'.