Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Discover the habit psychology behind arguments — why we avoid introspection and demand others change first. This discussion explores the concept of frame dominance in arguments, emphasizing how individuals attempt to impose their assumptions and define what is relevant. We delve into why relying solely on logic and facts often fails to resolve debates, highlighting the need for more nuanced approaches to critical thinking. For those interested in strategic discussions, Jeremy Sherman, PhD, offers consulting, with a free initial half-hour session.
I'm Jeremy Sherman, PhD, a strategic consultant since 1997, specializing in dealing with jerks and doubts.
For a free trial session, email me at js@jeremysherman.com
𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤: facebook.com/jeremysherm
DEALING WITH JERKS
jerkology.net
BLOG: psychologytoday.com/us/blog/jerkology
BOOK: What's Up With A**holes? How to spot and stop them without becoming one.
https://a.co/d/6QDQwrY
AUDIOBOOK: youtube.com/watch?v=iLerthdU4Jw&t
DEALING WITH DOUBTS
adaptivestrategies.net
BLOG: psychologytoday.com/us/blog/ambigamy
BOOK: Negotiate with Yourself and Win: Doubt Management Skills for People Who Can Hear Themselves Think: https://a.co/d/brJpNli
Though informal, I'll argue that my approach is more scientific than a lot of what passes for big picture science. It is really abstract engineering researchers claiming we've got this or that add-on feature without explaining how we got it. That makes for excellent engineering, but it's no more rigorous than supernatural explanations.
For 30 years, I've worked closely with Harvard/Berkeley biologist/neuroscientist Terrence Deacon on developing fully scientific explanations for phenomena assumed by other researchers.
Some examples:
LIFE'S STRUGGLE FOR EXISTENCE: DNA and natural selection don't explain it. We have an entirely natural explanation for how self-regenerating beings (like us) could emerge from chemistry and evolve (by natural selection) the capacity to use DNA molecules.
MOTIVATION: Psychologists just assume it. When they see effort, they assume a motivation, which is like assuming a "soul." We have an explanation for what effort and motivation physically are: Not something added to chemistry but the way chemistry can limit itself by channeling energy into work to regenerate itself.
NARCISSISM: Psychologists say that if you've got these symptoms, you have a thing called Narcissism. I explain how humans, having evolved language, can imagine the ideal, see where we fall short, and self-idealize to compensate. It's something we all do. I study how it gets out of hand and becomes addictive.
My book on our research: Neither Ghost Nor Machine: The Emergence and Nature of Selves (Columbia University Press, 2017) https://a.co/d/9ZNyT7E
My PhD is in decision science. I'm a soulnerd with a deeply connected heart and head. This stuff is my non-spiritual path. I live and breathe my work. It's not some abstract intellectual exercise.
Nor is it art. Science is a campaign to find natural explanations for all natural phenomena – natural, not supernatural - about which you can believe anything.
Still, I try to make this stuff fun, intuitive, and useful. I've written over 1,100 blog articles for Psychology Today on practical decision-making and everything we all go through (11 million views). Their editor-in-chief calls it, "Mind candy for people who aren't afraid to think."
#Psychology
#Arguments
#FrameDominance
#CriticalThinking
#SelfAwareness
#HumanBehavior
#Introspection
#MindsetShift
#Debate
#ConflictResolution
#CognitiveBias
#OpenMinded
#Habits
#PhilosophyOfMind
#behavioralpsychology
Video Chapters
00:00
Introduction: What is frame dominance?
01:15
Why facts alone don't resolve arguments
02:40
The impulse to say "I'm right, you're wrong"
04:10
Self-framing dominance explained
05:45
The value of being close-minded
07:20
Why rethinking habits is exhausting
08:50
Who gets forced to introspect?
10:15
Psychologizing: demanding change in others
12:00
The appetite for affirmation
13:30
Takeaways and final thoughts
This discussion explores the concept of frame dominance in arguments, emphasizing how individuals attempt to impose their assumptions and define what is relevant. We delve into why relying solely on logic and facts often fails to resolve debates, highlighting the need for more nuanced approaches to critical thinking. For those interested in strategic discussions, Jeremy Sherman, PhD, offers consulting, with a free initial half-hour session.
Discover the habit psychology behind arguments — why we avoid introspection and demand others change first. This discussion explores the concept of frame dominance in arguments, emphasizing how individuals attempt to impose their assumptions and define what is relevant. We delve into why relying solely on logic and facts often fails to resolve debates, highlighting the need for more nuanced approaches to critical thinking. For those interested in strategic discussions, Jeremy Sherman, PhD, offers consulting, with a free initial half-hour session.
I'm Jeremy Sherman, PhD, a strategic consultant since 1997, specializing in dealing with jerks and doubts.
For a free trial session, email me at js@jeremysherman.com
𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤: facebook.com/jeremysherm
DEALING WITH JERKS
jerkology.net
BLOG: psychologytoday.com/us/blog/jerkology
BOOK: What's Up With A**holes? How to spot and stop them without becoming one.
https://a.co/d/6QDQwrY
AUDIOBOOK: youtube.com/watch?v=iLerthdU4Jw&t
DEALING WITH DOUBTS
adaptivestrategies.net
BLOG: psychologytoday.com/us/blog/ambigamy
BOOK: Negotiate with Yourself and Win: Doubt Management Skills for People Who Can Hear Themselves Think: https://a.co/d/brJpNli
Though informal, I'll argue that my approach is more scientific than a lot of what passes for big picture science. It is really abstract engineering researchers claiming we've got this or that add-on feature without explaining how we got it. That makes for excellent engineering, but it's no more rigorous than supernatural explanations.
For 30 years, I've worked closely with Harvard/Berkeley biologist/neuroscientist Terrence Deacon on developing fully scientific explanations for phenomena assumed by other researchers.
Some examples:
LIFE'S STRUGGLE FOR EXISTENCE: DNA and natural selection don't explain it. We have an entirely natural explanation for how self-regenerating beings (like us) could emerge from chemistry and evolve (by natural selection) the capacity to use DNA molecules.
MOTIVATION: Psychologists just assume it. When they see effort, they assume a motivation, which is like assuming a "soul." We have an explanation for what effort and motivation physically are: Not something added to chemistry but the way chemistry can limit itself by channeling energy into work to regenerate itself.
NARCISSISM: Psychologists say that if you've got these symptoms, you have a thing called Narcissism. I explain how humans, having evolved language, can imagine the ideal, see where we fall short, and self-idealize to compensate. It's something we all do. I study how it gets out of hand and becomes addictive.
My book on our research: Neither Ghost Nor Machine: The Emergence and Nature of Selves (Columbia University Press, 2017) https://a.co/d/9ZNyT7E
My PhD is in decision science. I'm a soulnerd with a deeply connected heart and head. This stuff is my non-spiritual path. I live and breathe my work. It's not some abstract intellectual exercise.
Nor is it art. Science is a campaign to find natural explanations for all natural phenomena – natural, not supernatural - about which you can believe anything.
Still, I try to make this stuff fun, intuitive, and useful. I've written over 1,100 blog articles for Psychology Today on practical decision-making and everything we all go through (11 million views). Their editor-in-chief calls it, "Mind candy for people who aren't afraid to think."
#Psychology
#Arguments
#FrameDominance
#CriticalThinking
#SelfAwareness
#HumanBehavior
#Introspection
#MindsetShift
#Debate
#ConflictResolution
#CognitiveBias
#OpenMinded
#Habits
#PhilosophyOfMind
#behavioralpsychology
Video Chapters
00:00
Introduction: What is frame dominance?
01:15
Why facts alone don't resolve arguments
02:40
The impulse to say "I'm right, you're wrong"
04:10
Self-framing dominance explained
05:45
The value of being close-minded
07:20
Why rethinking habits is exhausting
08:50
Who gets forced to introspect?
10:15
Psychologizing: demanding change in others
12:00
The appetite for affirmation
13:30
Takeaways and final thoughts
This discussion explores the concept of frame dominance in arguments, emphasizing how individuals attempt to impose their assumptions and define what is relevant. We delve into why relying solely on logic and facts often fails to resolve debates, highlighting the need for more nuanced approaches to critical thinking. For those interested in strategic discussions, Jeremy Sherman, PhD, offers consulting, with a free initial half-hour session.
