Assigning Blame: Use With Caution

I have written previously about the term 'everything happens for a reason' as a technique to utilize the inherent trust many people have in this concept. I also wrote about how superstition can be a powerful persuasive tool. If you've read those articles and put the tools to work in your life, you already understand the power they hold.

Assigning blame is the other side of the coin. It works along the same lines. . . our prospect's belief system. If they are of the mind that the world is ordered and the universe is equitable, then assigning blame is already a common enemy and can be pulled out of your persuasion tool box for special occasions.

Better hang on here if you are religiously oriented because I'm going to shake the tree just a little bit here. (Disclaimer: My intention is never to intrude on anyone's beliefs or practices because I vehemently believe in Freedom of Religion and to me, this extends to spiritual practice of all kind. But, like it or not, religion and spirituality are intertwined with everything in life and I use the examples below to teach persuasion, not to push my beliefs or dissuade yours.)

There is a theory in sociology that the greatest way to bond a group of people is to give them a common enemy to struggle against.

The common enemy in Christianity is obviously the devil. This concept is installed in Christians from a very early age through sayings like, 'We as humans are born into a world of sin and the mere act of being born causes us to not be able to get into the life hereafter until and unless we accept Jesus as our savior.'

That's pretty intense. Let's look at the enemy. The enemy is, just being born, because we're born into sin. Who's responsible for that? The devil.

This is a great tool. I heard someone say many years ago, 'The devil is the best friend the Christian ever had because without him, there would be no need for a savior.' Think about the word 'savior'. Savior implies someone needs saving. And if you're born into sin, you in fact do need saving.

I am not debating any of this. I am, in a way, being the devil's advocate (so to speak) and standing back to look at the larger picture. By removing my won beliefs, I am pointing out how you can see this too.

None of this is to say that having a common enemy is a bad thing. In fact, I think it's a great thing to use, but carefully and responsibly.

Note the advantage of having an unseeable, unknowable enemy such as the devil. Basic human drives and desires can be attributed to the influence of this invisible being (for example, lust (reproduction), gluttony (food)).

We have an inherent need to assign blame. In fact, it's so fundamental to the core of who we are that everybody does this.

And if the religious example weren't enough. . .how about the world of politics? We have a war on terror and a war on poverty going on. If these were actual tangible enemies, I'd be on board to fight the good fight and eliminate both. However, these are virtual common enemies, concepts against which fighting a war is impossible. And yet, they are insanely powerful enemies to most people.

I'm contrasting 'things happen for a reason' with 'blame.'

A word of warning: I wouldn't dwell in the land of negativity, it's like a double-edged sword. It cuts going and coming. Be very careful.

About the Author

Kenrick Cleveland teaches techniques to earn the business of wealthy prospects using persuasion. He runs public and private seminars and offers home study courses and coaching programs in persuasion techniques.

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