I want you all to listen. Because there is a phenomenon that we as Speakers must be made aware of. This issue is a natural psychological defense mechanism that is called the Backfire Effect. The reason we as speakers should know this is so we can better advocate for our cause in front of a perhaps apprehensive or even hostile audience.

So what is the Backfire Effect? Allow me to explain. But first here is a random fact, did you know there was once a law in San Francisco that banned elephants from walking along Market St. unless it had a leash. How did you all feel about that fact? Did you accept it easily and outright? Did you feel skeptical? These are common responses.

Now how about this next fact. Our concept of Time, in minutes, hours, days and so forth, does not exist. It is an illusion of our own social construct. However, there is such thing a progress into the future, it just isn’t with our concept of time. How are you all feeling after that fact? Confused? Mind-blown? Or perhaps Apprehensive of such an idea or fact. Now here is a fact from the site called The Oatmeal, in an article about the Backfire Effect there was a fact that George Washington had a pair of teeth made of the teeth of slaves. That is a fact. So how do you feel after hearing this fact? Do you want to immediately see if what I said is true or false? Are you feeling apprehensive or even hostile towards me?

The fact I did this highlight the phenomenon of the Backfire Effect. In essence it is psychological defense mechanism designed to protect our worldviews from attack, or change. The Backfire Effect makes it highly likely that a person will not change.

So as speakers we must be aware of this phenomenon. The best way to combat the Backfire Effect is to let the people’s reactions follow-through, then allow the person to calm down. The worst thing you can do is present more facts, figures, or in a simple term more evidence that goes against there worldview. Because this’ll make them more unlikely to change. When the person calms after their reaction upon hearing or viewing an idea, action or fact against their worldview, they are more likely to listen and then they are more likely to change. Therefore as a speaker you would have succeeded in advocacy in an audience that perhaps could have been apprehensive or hostile towards your facts or ideas.

So now we have a better idea on how to effectively advocate to a hostile or apprehensive audience. Let us utilize this knowledge to ethical and effectively advance our speaking abilities.

References

The Oatmeal. (2016). You’re not going to believe what I’m about to tell you. Retrieved from The Oatmeal: http://theoatmeal.com/comics/believe