Hey there! Have you ever found yourself in a heated debate, maybe with friends or family, and wondered how you could convince them to see things your way? Well, you’re in luck! Today, we’re diving into some cool research that might just give you the upper hand in your next argument.
Our journey begins with Lacy Green from DNews and her special guest, Dr. Karen Bondar. They’re here to share some fascinating insights about how people hold onto their beliefs and what it takes to change their minds.
Have you ever noticed how people can be really stubborn about their beliefs, especially when it comes to politics? This is because of something called disconfirmation bias. It’s a fancy term for when people ignore information that goes against what they already believe.
Researchers from Dartmouth wanted to see how they could change people’s minds on political topics. They tried to convince liberals that Bush’s Iraq surge reduced violence and conservatives that more jobs were created under Obama. The results were pretty surprising!
The researchers used three different methods to present the facts: speaking them out loud, writing them in a text paragraph, and showing them in a chart. Here’s what they found:
So, why do charts and graphs work so well? It turns out that our brains are wired to understand visual information better than words. The part of the brain that processes visuals is larger and more developed, making it easier for us to grasp and remember visual data.
When we hear information, our brains have to work harder to process and remember it. That’s why we might forget details or be more likely to argue against spoken or written facts.
Next time you’re in a debate, whether it’s with your parents or during a school project, try using a chart or graph to make your point. It might just help you win the argument!
Thanks for tuning in to this fun exploration of debate strategies! What’s your favorite way to win an argument? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and don’t forget to check out more awesome content from DNews. See you next time!
Choose a topic you feel strongly about and create a chart or graph to support your argument. Use online tools or graph paper to design your visual. Present your visual to the class and explain how it supports your viewpoint. Notice how your classmates react to the visual evidence.
Split into two groups. One group will present arguments using only spoken words, while the other will use visuals like charts and graphs. After each presentation, discuss which method was more convincing and why. Reflect on how visuals impacted your understanding and acceptance of the arguments.
Watch a video or presentation that uses both verbal explanations and visuals. As you watch, take notes on how each method helps you understand the information. Afterward, discuss with your classmates which parts were clearer and why visuals might have made a difference.
Work in pairs to create a short story or scenario that includes a conflict or debate. Use visuals to illustrate key points in the story. Share your story with the class and observe how the visuals help convey the message and resolve the conflict.
Research a current event or historical debate. Create a presentation that includes both verbal explanations and visual aids. Present your findings to the class, focusing on how the visuals help clarify complex information and persuade your audience.
**Sanitized Transcript:**
Red Alert, everybody! Someone is wrong on the internet, and we are not going to stand for this. Time to bring on the big guns!
Hey everyone, Lacy Green here for DNews with a special guest host, Dr. Karen Bondar. We’re so happy to have you here on DNews, Karen!
Karen: It’s awesome to be here. Thanks for joining us!
Lacy: So, I want to know, have you ever been in a debate?
Karen: Oh yeah, I mean, we work on the internet, right? It’s kind of hard to avoid!
Lacy: Recently, a study coming out of Dartmouth sought to figure out the best way to convince someone that they’re wrong. What’s the one place that people hold onto their beliefs the most? It would be politics. It’s an area of debate that is susceptible to something called disconfirmation bias, or the tendency to deny information that conflicts with our pre-existing beliefs.
To figure out how best to convince someone of the facts, researchers tried to persuade those who call themselves liberals that Bush’s Iraq surge had prevented further violence, and to persuade conservatives that more jobs have been created under Obama. What they found was very interesting.
Researchers tried a few different methods: first presenting the facts out loud, then in a text paragraph, and finally with a chart. Verbalizing the facts out loud was the least effective; people saw the facts as up for debate and responded with verbal counterarguments. The text was also similarly ineffective. However, when presented with a chart or a graph where the facts were explained visually, people were much more likely to accept the information that conflicted with their former beliefs, and they were less likely to argue about it.
So, you know what this means, right? Charts all day! If you’re in a debate with your parents or during those elections, pull out the charts!
These researchers speculate that the reason the human brain responds better to visual information is that it’s our native language. The area of your brain that processes visuals is larger and more developed than the area that processes words. So when we hear verbal information, our brain has to work harder to understand and remember it. You’re more likely to forget what was said and all the little details.
So just to remember this, can we get a chart up in here, please?
Thanks for joining us for DNews! What’s your favorite debate strategy? Let us know in the comments below, and don’t forget to subscribe for more DNews. See you next time!
Argument – A reason or set of reasons given to persuade others that an idea or action is right or wrong. – In our critical thinking class, we learned how to construct a strong argument to support our opinions.
Beliefs – Convictions or acceptances that certain things are true or real. – Her beliefs about human behavior were influenced by her studies in psychology.
Bias – A tendency to favor one thing over another, often in an unfair way. – It is important to recognize our own bias when evaluating information to ensure fair judgment.
Visuals – Images, diagrams, or other visual representations used to convey information or ideas. – The teacher used visuals like charts and graphs to help students understand complex psychological concepts.
Research – The systematic investigation into and study of materials and sources to establish facts and reach new conclusions. – Conducting thorough research is essential for writing a well-informed psychology paper.
Debate – A formal discussion on a particular topic where opposing arguments are put forward. – The students participated in a debate about the effects of social media on mental health.
Minds – The element of a person that enables them to be aware of the world and their experiences, to think, and to feel. – Understanding how our minds work can help us improve our critical thinking skills.
Information – Facts or details that tell you something about a situation, person, event, etc. – Evaluating the credibility of information is a key part of developing strong critical thinking abilities.
Charts – Visual displays of information, often used to simplify complex data. – The psychologist used charts to illustrate the results of the study on teenage behavior.
Psychology – The scientific study of the human mind and its functions, especially those affecting behavior. – In psychology class, we learned about different theories that explain why people behave the way they do.
