Table of contents:
- 1. When you are learning something new
- 2. When you make a decision or want to form an opinion
- 3. When you are dealing with a bad mood
2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44
Arguing with other people takes energy and rarely leads to something constructive. But an argument with oneself can help in at least three life situations.
1. When you are learning something new
Scientists at Columbia University conducted a study and concluded that arguing with oneself helps to explore a new topic deeper. The study participants were divided into two groups. One was asked to write an essay on the merits of a candidate for mayor, and the other was asked to write a fictional dialogue between a candidate and his opponent.
In the process, the participants in the second group were more focused on the problems of the city and the solutions proposed by the candidate. They avoided unsubstantiated statements and worked through possible objections. Dialogue with a fictional opponent helped to understand the issue deeper and examine it from different angles. And the members of the first group just superficially listed the merits of the candidate.
As a result, the second group proposed a constructive program based on facts and concrete actions, while the first one got by with general phrases and promises.
Internal discussion helps students and self-educators to view knowledge not as axioms or facts, but as information worth analyzing and weighing.
2. When you make a decision or want to form an opinion
We intuitively seek arguments to defend what we just liked. Internal dialogue will help you become more objective.
If you are faced with a difficult life choice, you can play a small trial in your head, where you will be a lawyer and prosecutor at the same time. Consider the situation from two opposite sides, provide arguments, conduct additional investigation and collect "evidence". Most likely, in the process, you will realize that you can take a little from each extreme and come to the golden mean.
This method helps to get rid of the division of the world into black and white.
There is no absolute truth. Try to reconcile the two points of view, take the most useful from them and create your own truth.
3. When you are dealing with a bad mood
You can argue with negative thoughts that interfere with life. Provide arguments for the bad mood, and then try to refute them with positive statements. Not all people are capable of believing in positive attitudes. By arguing against negativity, you are more likely to convince yourself that there is no reason to worry.
The method is also effective when your fears are confirmed. In this case, the detragedization method will help. Formulate the trouble that happened to you, and then ask yourself: “So what? What are the really dire consequences of this? Has something irreparable happened?"
Arguing with yourself is a useful practice that can be applied in many situations in life. However, you should not use it against your own person. Separate yourself from the point of view or information you are challenging. Don't forget about self-acceptance, encouragement, and agreement.
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