How we change what others think, feel, believe and do

Attack

Techniques > Resisting persuasion > Attack

Method | Example | Discussion | See also

Method

Attack them, personally or generically, telling them how they are stupid, arrogant, etc.

Attack their arguments, saying how ridiculous, irrational and useless they are.

Attack the approaches they are using to try and persuade you, showing how they are immoral, crude or otherwise ineffective.

Be aggressive in your attack. Attack with anger and hostile emotions.

Attack can also be low-key and subtle. You can use language to undermine and deflate people without resorting to anger.

Example

You stupid fool!! Do you think I would be taken in by such facile comments??

I am sick to death with you sales people treating me like I am a moron.

Well, you would say that, wouldn't you.

Discussion

Attack creates the Fight-or-Flight reaction, which hopefully will put them into flight (be careful, therefore, about pushing people into fighting you if you are not sure that you will win).

Aggressive attack also puts you in an emotional state where you are more able to defend yourself.

Beware of attack, however, as it can easily backfire. Getting yourself into a state is not good for your health and may lead you to act in a way that you will later regret.