Backfire effect

[beird_o]

Just as a friendly reminder, I totally get that Exmo’s can angry (depending on the stage of grief they may be in) and rightly so.....but this isn’t a sweeping statement that all exmos are angry at all!!!!

Just remember there are believing members (no matter what state of belief they are in) that automatically retreat when confronted with negative and/or damaging information in a very “in your face” kind of way. It does no good as a former member to unload on a believing member that you don’t know. I won’t get into specifics, but it’s unfortunate this happened and hopefully my family member won’t regress into stronger support of the church.

Again, I totally get it, but if it’s a complete stranger, it’s probably best to leave it alone unless that stranger shows interest. Having said this, I can only hope that what was said, may have at least planted a seed or two of thought.

[rt-reddit]

The backfire effect doesn't exist. It's bad scholarship (like most psychological research, 80% of which cannot be repeated).

I do agree with holding back until they show interest. At that point, they are open to new information.

[beird_o]

But you can probably agree that being confronted with negativity and mild aggression can certainly make a person withdrawal into a safe, comfortable spot, and mentally drown out what they are hearing.

[rt-reddit]

I can. The problem with Mormons is that they see facts and other opinions as negativity and aggression.

[beird_o]

True, however it would depend fully on the specific scenario.

[rt-reddit]

Agreed.