Errors of Reaction

1. Errors of Reaction Errors of reaction refer to situations whereby you express a viewpoint and someone reacts negatively and gets defensive. They are defensive reactions that preserve your self-image and provide an excuse to maintain your view. Explaining Away: The example includes a person named Ron who uses marijuana for several years. He invited friends over and one of his friends says his instructor gave him an article to read on marijuana. The friend says the article asserts marijuana is a mild intoxicant that causes slight exaggeration of adolescent behavior and is considered a clinical syndrome. Ron gets angry and says the article is wrong and worthless. He’s been using marijuana for years without a problem. Ron found the idea of injuring himself too unpleasant. It would have attacked his ego if he agreed with the article. At the least– Ron needs to read the article and evaluate the merit or strength of the evidence. Instead– Ron explains it away. In this maneuver you do the following: 1) you don’t challenge your ideas 2) you postpone dealing with reality or facts 3) the longer you postpone the more painful the experience Shifting Burden of Proof: in this situation, you accept the burden of proof and it means finding support for your assertion. Some assertions challenge accepted wisdom. Burden falls on person making the assertion. Attacking the Person: in this situation, you attack the challenger– you get mad at someone who makes sense and is right in his/her view. So– to save face simply acknowledge when you’re wrong and learn from it.