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Blame As Persuasion: Use With Caution

By: Kenrick Cleveland

In previous articles I've written about using superstition and people's beliefs as a means to persuade. The term 'everything happens for a reason' is one of these concepts; 'there are no accidents' is another. If you've read these articles, you're already familiar with the power that they can hold in persuasion.

The other side of the 'everything happens for a reason'/'there are no accidents' coin is the use of assigning blame. Both concepts require that our client or prospect has a belief in an ordered and equitable universe in order for it to be potently persuasive.

Better hang on here if you are religiously oriented because I'm going to shake the tree just a little bit here. (Disclaimer: My intention is never to intrude on anyone's beliefs or practices because I vehemently believe in Freedom of Religion and to me, this extends to spiritual practice of all kind. But, like it or not, religion and spirituality are intertwined with everything in life and I use the examples below to teach persuasion, not to push my beliefs or dissuade yours.)

There is a lot of discussion in sociology and group theory about 'common enemies'. The greatest way to bond a group is for them to have a common enemy to struggle against.

Let's start with Christianity as an example. What's the common enemy of Christianity? Well, you probably know right off the top of your head, it's the devil. How is this installed in Christians from an early age? Well, we start saying things like, 'We as humans are born into a world of sin and the mere act of being born causes us to not be able to get into the life hereafter until and unless we accept Jesus as our savior.'

It's an intense thing to believe. And what or who is the enemy? Well, just being born because we are born into sin. And who is responsible for us being born into sin? The devil.

I heard someone say many years ago that the devil is the best friend Christians ever had because without him there would have been no need for a savior. And think about the word 'savior'. It's a presupposition that one needs saving. The implication is that if you are, in fact, born into sin, then you do need saving.

I am absolutely not debating any of this. I'm being more of a devil's advocate (no pun intended) because I am standing back and removing my own beliefs to point out how you can see this.

This isn't to say that having a common enemy to fight against is bad. I think it's great, in fact. It motivates and gets people to act.

Another advantage of a common enemy who you can't see (such as the devil) is that things such as basic drives and desires can be attributed to the influence of said being. . . (i.e. lust, gluttony, etc.)

We have an inherent need to assign blame. In fact, it's so fundamental to the core of who we are that everybody does this.

Here's a political example: We have a 'War on Terror' and a 'War on Poverty' and yet, it's virtually impossible to argue that anyone is FOR 'terror' or 'poverty'. These are virtual cultural common enemies. However, terror and poverty are concepts, not actual, tangible physical beings against which a war can be won. Take note at how insanely powerful they are as enemies. If winning a 'war' against a concept were possible, I'd most certainly sign up and fight.

Look at the contrast between 'things happen for a reason' and the concept of blame.

A word of warning: I wouldn't dwell in the land of negativity, it's like a double-edged sword. It cuts going and coming. Be very careful.

Article Source: Main Articles

Kenrick Cleveland teaches techniques to earn the business of affluent clients using persuasion. He runs public and private seminars and offers home study courses and coaching programs in persuasion techniques.

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