We came across a piece in CNN Opinion by life coach Peter Bregmnan that adds value to the vaccination debate. He suggests we stop trying to force people to have the jab, by trying to seize control of the situation. Instead, we should meet them where they are on life’s journey. Peter believes the process begins by understanding vaccine denialists better, rather than ramming square pegs into round holes.
The Backfire Effect Can Work Against Us and Reinforce Their Belief
Giving people information contrary to their beliefs backfires, because they reject it. Our minds all work similarly, including people who refuse vaccines. The person challenging their values loses out. If anything, the unvaccinated person’s beliefs grow stronger.
There is therefore not much point in presenting unvaccinated people with the ‘facts of the pandemic’ as we see them. Moreover, we achieve even less if we start blaming them, and accusing them of being selfish and ignorant.
Peter Bregmnan believes there is a wiser way to follow. And that path seeks to understand unvaccinated people better from their point of view. This means sharing information that does not challenge their perspective, so we do not risk destroying the relationship.
Understanding Unvaccinated People Better With of Empathy
This process begins by surrendering our right to change people’s minds. Although in truth we never had it in the first place, because they must decide for themselves. Therefore, we should rather explore the others’ position, without agreeing or disagreeing with it.
We might say, for example we were scared about the effects of the vaccine when we had the shot. We could share our own experience without ‘selling’ anything. The single most important thing is encouraging them to work through their feelings, using us ‘sounding boards’.
This approach will lead us to a point where we share common ground, like protecting family and friends from the virus. Peter Bergman says first create an atmosphere that is free from coercion. Make it safe for unvaccinated people to change their minds.
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