Unit VIII Assignment Table of Dirty Tricks
Name:
Name and Number of Dirty Trick Decision-making Leading to Use How You Would Detect the Trick How You Might Counter the Trick
Dirty Trick #1: “You also” According to Paul and Elder (2012) By spotting the lack of By making sure there is clear
Accusing your opponent of doing an individual is driven to utilize this accountability exhibited by the communication of expectations or
what he/she is accusing you of (or trick when under attack and unable manipulator. He/she is not willing instructions provided. Often
worse) to defend themselves. By using this to admit they are in the wrong; repeating what told to ensure there
technique, they place the opponent therefore, they turn the blame on was understanding on the
on the defensive by turning the their opponent information provided.
tables on them and often accusing
them of something worse. This
example could be observed not just
on politicians but in most
individuals when we tend to blame
shift when put on the spot. For
example: being accused of not
completing a task on time but one
turns the table on the accuser by
stating he/she never showed the
accused how to complete such task.
Dirty Trick # 3 Appeal to authority This is used when the manipulator They will try to validate Seeking to obtain facts and not just
tries to make the audience believe something without having any testimonies or personal
something simply because he/she expertise in the matter. When experiences of those presenting the
says is the authority on that subject/ asked questions they may not information As well as,
topic. provide facts just what they investigating if there is any
believe to be true. correlation or personal gain
invested on the information
presented.
The manipulator will attempt to The main characteristic is inferring Challenging their information with
Dirty Trick #2 Accusing of sliding divert the audience on how to act they know what will happen with questions and asking for facts on
own a slippery slope by convincing them their decisions future events. They make which such predictions are based
will only lead to negative assumptions of plausible results, on.
consequences but they cannot be confirmed.
Dirty Trick # 4 Appeal of The individual tries to convince the It could be detecting by observing This trick could be counter by
Experience audience by implying the have how they react when being always evaluating the evidence
experience on the topic or subject confronted by someone who is an provide; as well as questioning
being discussed; even when their expert on the matter and starts to how, they came to obtain such
, knowledge is limited or criticize their statements. experience.
nonexistent. They portrait
themselves as confident and count
on the audience lack of knowledge
to questions their statements. It
makes me think of what a coworker
says “they do not know what you
do not know” or the good old “fake
it until you make it”
The speaker identifies himself as By patient close attention if they By avoiding reacting to the fear
Dirty Trick # 5 Appeal to Fear the person able to protect them attack or segregate groups that go presented and not allowing myself
from any threat; even when not against the manipulator’s ideas or to give in to mass hysteria.
possible. However, the catch is the beliefs- for example tagging that Evaluation the statements provided
audience must do what the speaker group as dangerous to society and searching evidence and facts
ask of them- they must line up with without any logical proof or that may prove or deny the claims
his/her ideas and desires. reasoning. made
Dirty Trick # 8 Appeal to tradition Manipulators use this trick to This trick would be detected by Counterattack to this trick would
and or faith convince the audience the opponent observing how they manipulate the be staying truth to my beliefs and
wants to destroy or change their audience’s faith and values. utilizing insight tools that will
traditions and faith (changing their allow me to take control of my
status quo) An example of this thinking, emotions and decisions
could be the continual argument when being presented with such
between the Catholic Church and dirty trick.
other Christian Denominations. The
Catholic Church is very settled in
their ways of doing things and will
not accept any challenges from
other denominations when it comes
to their rites and way to conduct
church.
Dirty Trick # 6 Appeal to Pity Manipulator utilize this trick when This trick could be detected by This trick could be counter by
they want to make people feel sorry observing how the manipulator letting them know one is
for them or trying to avoid feels sorry for himself/ herself as understanding of their
responsibility for something they they try to gain the people’s circumstances; however, pointing
have done. Also, to divert attention sympathy. out we all have situation on where
from people who may be harmed we need to make decisions and we
by the manipulator’s decision are responsible for how we
respond. Therefore, one can
Name:
Name and Number of Dirty Trick Decision-making Leading to Use How You Would Detect the Trick How You Might Counter the Trick
Dirty Trick #1: “You also” According to Paul and Elder (2012) By spotting the lack of By making sure there is clear
Accusing your opponent of doing an individual is driven to utilize this accountability exhibited by the communication of expectations or
what he/she is accusing you of (or trick when under attack and unable manipulator. He/she is not willing instructions provided. Often
worse) to defend themselves. By using this to admit they are in the wrong; repeating what told to ensure there
technique, they place the opponent therefore, they turn the blame on was understanding on the
on the defensive by turning the their opponent information provided.
tables on them and often accusing
them of something worse. This
example could be observed not just
on politicians but in most
individuals when we tend to blame
shift when put on the spot. For
example: being accused of not
completing a task on time but one
turns the table on the accuser by
stating he/she never showed the
accused how to complete such task.
Dirty Trick # 3 Appeal to authority This is used when the manipulator They will try to validate Seeking to obtain facts and not just
tries to make the audience believe something without having any testimonies or personal
something simply because he/she expertise in the matter. When experiences of those presenting the
says is the authority on that subject/ asked questions they may not information As well as,
topic. provide facts just what they investigating if there is any
believe to be true. correlation or personal gain
invested on the information
presented.
The manipulator will attempt to The main characteristic is inferring Challenging their information with
Dirty Trick #2 Accusing of sliding divert the audience on how to act they know what will happen with questions and asking for facts on
own a slippery slope by convincing them their decisions future events. They make which such predictions are based
will only lead to negative assumptions of plausible results, on.
consequences but they cannot be confirmed.
Dirty Trick # 4 Appeal of The individual tries to convince the It could be detecting by observing This trick could be counter by
Experience audience by implying the have how they react when being always evaluating the evidence
experience on the topic or subject confronted by someone who is an provide; as well as questioning
being discussed; even when their expert on the matter and starts to how, they came to obtain such
, knowledge is limited or criticize their statements. experience.
nonexistent. They portrait
themselves as confident and count
on the audience lack of knowledge
to questions their statements. It
makes me think of what a coworker
says “they do not know what you
do not know” or the good old “fake
it until you make it”
The speaker identifies himself as By patient close attention if they By avoiding reacting to the fear
Dirty Trick # 5 Appeal to Fear the person able to protect them attack or segregate groups that go presented and not allowing myself
from any threat; even when not against the manipulator’s ideas or to give in to mass hysteria.
possible. However, the catch is the beliefs- for example tagging that Evaluation the statements provided
audience must do what the speaker group as dangerous to society and searching evidence and facts
ask of them- they must line up with without any logical proof or that may prove or deny the claims
his/her ideas and desires. reasoning. made
Dirty Trick # 8 Appeal to tradition Manipulators use this trick to This trick would be detected by Counterattack to this trick would
and or faith convince the audience the opponent observing how they manipulate the be staying truth to my beliefs and
wants to destroy or change their audience’s faith and values. utilizing insight tools that will
traditions and faith (changing their allow me to take control of my
status quo) An example of this thinking, emotions and decisions
could be the continual argument when being presented with such
between the Catholic Church and dirty trick.
other Christian Denominations. The
Catholic Church is very settled in
their ways of doing things and will
not accept any challenges from
other denominations when it comes
to their rites and way to conduct
church.
Dirty Trick # 6 Appeal to Pity Manipulator utilize this trick when This trick could be detected by This trick could be counter by
they want to make people feel sorry observing how the manipulator letting them know one is
for them or trying to avoid feels sorry for himself/ herself as understanding of their
responsibility for something they they try to gain the people’s circumstances; however, pointing
have done. Also, to divert attention sympathy. out we all have situation on where
from people who may be harmed we need to make decisions and we
by the manipulator’s decision are responsible for how we
respond. Therefore, one can
