Reasoning

The Science of Reasoning With Unreasonable People

Personal Background and Initial Argument

• Date of Experience: January 31, 2021

• The author recounts a previous debate with a friend R. regarding vaccinations.

• Friend's Position: R. insists his children will never be vaccinated.

• Author’s Initial Concerns:

  • Concern for the safety of R.'s children.

  • Attempts to debunk common myths about vaccines.

• Outcome of Debates:

  • Exhausting discussions leading to a vow to avoid vaccine topics with R. in the future.

The Context of Vaccine Hesitancy During Covid-19

• Public Sentiment: Many Americans harbor skepticism about vaccine safety.

  • Roughly 50% have questions on the safety of Covid-19 vaccines.

  • 39% of Americans indicated they “definitely or probably won’t get one.”

• Author’s Objective: A desire to possibly change R.'s viewpoint on vaccines.

Organizational Psychology Insights

• Author’s Background:

  • An organizational psychologist studying methods to motivate people to reconsider their stances.

  • Previous successful examples include:

  • Reducing animosities between gun rights and gun safety advocates.

  • Yankees and Red Sox fans reconciling their rivalries.

• General Misjudgment in Approach:

  • Default reaction is to argue against a closed-minded person, which often leads to escalation and entrenchment of beliefs.

  • Labeling of being a "logic bully" for aggressive argumentation.

Psychological Barriers to Argumentation

• Comparison to Physical Immunity:

  • Resistance to arguments can fortify one’s psychological immune system, making future influence attempts less effective.

  • Arguing against someone can strengthen their convictions.

Introduction to Motivational Interviewing

• Origin: Developed decades ago for treating substance abuse.

• Core Premise:

  • Rather than forcing change, effectively help others discover their intrinsic motivations to change.

• Methodology:

  • Use open-ended questions and active listening to allow individuals to reflect.

  • Essential to genuinely understand and help individuals uncover their own goals.

Illustrative Example of Conversation

• Hogwarts Scenario:

  • Dialogue role-play on confronting a family member about Voldemort.

  • Emphasizes reflecting back on their feelings and discovering personal ambivalence toward their perceptions.

Applications and Success of Motivational Interviewing

• Impactful Outcomes:

  • Effective in promoting behavioral change for issues such as:

  • Smoking cessation.

  • Substance abuse and alcoholism.

  • Improving dietary choices and physical health.

  • Addressing eating disorders and overall weight loss.

  • Enhancing student lifestyles including improved sleep.

  • Encouraging reconsideration among voters regarding prejudices.

  • Supporting conflict resolution among divorcing parents.

Recent Applications of Motivational Interviewing to Vaccination

• Dr. Arnaud Gagneur’s Work:

  • Pediatrician applying motivational interviewing in maternity wards.

  • Results showed increase in maternal willingness to vaccinate from 72% to 87% after motivational talks.

  • Follow-up demonstrated a 9% increase in full vaccination rates after two years.

Conversations with R. and Its Outcomes

• Initial Interaction with Dr. Gagneur:

  • Despite extensive effort, R. did not change his stance post-discussion.

  • Author's realization that R. possesses considerable knowledge and can justify his position robustly.

• Shift in Perspective:

  • Author recognizes the need to truly understand R.'s viewpoint rather than just refuting them.

  • R. acknowledges potential positives of vaccines for some scenarios, indicating slight change in thought.

Methodological Evolution in Dialogue

• Refined Interaction Approach:

  • Shifted from questioning opposition to exploring how R. would approach stopping the pandemic.

  • R.'s Insights: Advocates for a balanced strategy, indicating a conditional openness to the idea of vaccinations.

• Key Observations from Conversations:

  • Differences between "sustain talk" (maintaining current position) and "change talk" (expressing desire for change).

  • Acknowledgement by R. that his views fluctuate and might evolve.

Reflections on Conversation Dynamics

• Realization of Progress:

  • Although vaccinations for R. and his children remain unlikely, there’s an agreement for further openness in discussion.

  • Author recognizes the breakthrough in his own approach — favoring understanding over winning debates.

Ethical and Philosophical Considerations

• Means vs. Ends in Persuasion:

  • Questions raised about the morality of methods used to change minds in public health.

  • It’s not only about outcomes but also about the ethical manner in which outcomes are pursued.

• Final Thought:

  • The focus should be on understanding rather than coercing; genuine inquiry rather than persuasion.

  • Acknowledges that change is ultimately up to the individual, once they’re open to reconsideration.

Conclusion

• Author's Identity:

  • Adam Grant, organizational psychologist at Wharton, author of "Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don’t Know."

• Research Focus:

  • Emphasis on understanding motivations, creativity, and generosity in human interactions.