Sip & Learn: "Arguing Is a Team Sport: Thinking Like Your Opponent "

The harder we try to win an argument, the more likely we are to make the other person defend the very position we want them to reconsider.
About this Event

When disagreements become personal, a successful conversation is not always one that changes someone’s mind. Sometimes, success means protecting the relationship, lowering the tension, or simply understanding where the other person is coming from.

In an increasingly polarized world, conversations about politics, social issues, and values can quickly become frustrating or unproductive. The strategy that helps you persuade someone may not be the one that reduces conflict or preserves the relationship.

Drawing on research in consumer psychology and persuasion, this lecture considers how different communication strategies shape receptiveness during difficult conversations. It will show how to choose an approach based on what you actually want the conversation to achieve.

Rhia Catapano is an Assistant Professor of Marketing at the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management. Her research focuses on persuasion, attitude change, and what makes people more receptive to opposing views. Her work has appeared in leading academic journals, including the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, Psychological Science, and the Journal of Consumer Psychology. She holds a PhD from Stanford University.

Agenda

6:00 PM doors open. Guests are welcome to arrive early, order drinks, and have dinner before the lecture begins.

7:00 PM lecture begins, followed by Q&A.

8:15 PM wrap up. Guests are welcome to stay for conversation and another drink.