Random Poll: Argumentative "behavior."

[TC_Halogen]

The reason why behavior is in quotes is because it's intentionally meant to be a vague question.

Also, I'm talking about behaviors in arguments, and not in something planned out or meant to be recreational arguing (or debating).

My question to you guys: when in the heat of an argument, do you find yourself more likely to take an aggressive stance and attack the receiving party for their faults or mistakes, or do you end up taking a defensive stance by defending yourself?

In many of the arguments that I've been in (mostly with my parents), we both seem to take a defensive stance -- neither of us really accuse each other of faults, but rather defend ourselves in hopes of proving ourselves correct (rather than proving the other person incorrect).

[Xx{Midnight}xX]

Re: Random Poll: Argumentative "behavior."

Needs option 3, a mix of both options 1 and two.

You need to prove yourself correct, but also deny or give doubt about your opponents stance.

[twitchywindowbreaker]

Re: Random Poll: Argumentative "behavior."

I pretty much agree with Midnight on this

[TC_Halogen]

Re: Random Poll: Argumentative "behavior."

Needs option 3, a mix of both options 1 and two.

You need to prove yourself correct, but also deny or give doubt about your opponents stance.

I pretty much agree with Midnight on this

I'm aware of the fact that it sometimes takes a combination of both strategies to get your desired reaction, but the questions ask what you're more likely to do, rather than whether or not you do them.

[twitchywindowbreaker]

Re: Random Poll: Argumentative "behavior."

I usually defend myself

[cixOclock]

Re: Random Poll: Argumentative "behavior."

I do both, especially when someone attacks something thats very dear to me like a story I wrote or something like that.
Honestly though, I probably attack a lot more people than I realize for their critiques...

[cry4eternity]

Re: Random Poll: Argumentative "behavior."

I've never really realized it, but now looking back it does seem like I am more defensive than aggressive in arguments. I guess I would attribute this to me being more worried about myself having a correct stance rather than my opponent having an incorrect one.

[aperson]

Re: Random Poll: Argumentative "behavior."

I use the prasangika-madhyamaka method of reductio ad absurdum to argue that any positive beliefs that anyone else has are wrong.

I don't need to defend my own beliefs because I don't have any

[HammyMcSquirrel]

Re: Random Poll: Argumentative "behavior."

EDIT: Can someone add this question and poll options to the OP:

- When in an argument, do you take a(n):
aggressive stance (attack the person for faults to prove them wrong)
defensive stance (defend your points to prove yourself correct)

Added that for you.

[customstuff]

Re: Random Poll: Argumentative "behavior."

I do either depending on the argument...

[Sephiroth28]

Re: Random Poll: Argumentative "behavior."

I probably lean more towards the defensive stance. Usually I go with the "You believe what you believe and I believe what I believe" stance but I try not to get aggressive or the arguments I have tend to escalate and may become violent.

[rusty_spoons]

Re: Random Poll: Argumentative "behavior."

Aggressive, yup definitely that one.

[Aldentron]

Re: Random Poll: Argumentative "behavior."

I don't see why defensive is the majority vote, it seems to me like everyone on FFR has something to prove, and as it's the internet no one has anything to lose, so everyone comes out swinging. At least they do here.

Also, the type of argument Midnight is talking about is called Rogerian. It's the practice of reasoning with your opponents points and then proving your own.

[TC_Halogen]

Re: Random Poll: Argumentative "behavior."

Added that for you.

Thank you very much.

I don't see why defensive is the majority vote, it seems to me like everyone on FFR has something to prove, and as it's the internet no one has anything to lose, so everyone comes out swinging. At least they do here.

Also, the type of argument Midnight is talking about is called Rogerian. It's the practice of reasoning with your opponents points and then proving your own.

point 1: we're not picking any particular situations; just because some people put up an internet personality of some sorts doesn't mean their true personalities make them aggressive/defensive.

point 2: fair enough.

[DN_Catastrophic]

Re: Random Poll: Argumentative "behavior."

This poll is kind of hard to really decide on just because everyone usually does both when they are in argument. If you think about it, when you're in an argument the other person is trying to prove and defend their point as well while they fight against yours, so it goes back and forth between the two choices constantly as more points are brought up.