Hey what’s up guys! Kathy Gibbens here…
the Appeal to Possibility. The Appeal to Possibility fallacy argues that just because something is possible, it must also be a certainty.
Here’s an example: “I just know I’m going to win the $500 billion lottery this weekend, so I’ll go ahead and charge this shopping spree on my credit card.” Is it possible that I could win the lottery? Sure, I guess. But does that mean it’s certain? By no means! In fact, the chances are very, very small.
So, the question to ask yourself if you think you’re facing, or if you think you might be committing the Appeal to Possibility fallacy is this: “Is it really certain or is it just possible?”
If you want to review or hear more about this fallacy, check out Episode 29.
Alright guys, we are winding down our Manipulation mini-series and today we’re going to talk about peer pressure. Now, you may be wondering why I’m including peer pressure in a manipulation series. Well, it’s easy. It’s because peer pressure IS a form of manipulation! Think about it! Peer pressure is when your peers try to pressure you into doing, thinking or believing something, whether it’s good for you or not. That’s a form of manipulation!
Now, I want to start off by saying that not all peer pressure is bad. And that’s exactly what makes some of the manipulation tactics so tricky…they’re not always bad and harmful. Sometimes they’re good & even helpful. As you’ve heard me say over & over again, it’s all about the motivation behind the tactic. So, with peer pressure…how can it be good sometimes? Well, if you hang around people who are doing good, positive things, you’ll have good, positive influence in your life. That influence is good! You want those kinds of people around you. They provide encouragement to make wise choices and to be the kind of person you really want to be. Let’s call that “good peer pressure”.
But, peer pressure can also be manipulative. And typically the reason that it’s manipulative is because the person or group is using some form of negative consequence to convince you to do something. Usually it’s the threat of exclusion from the group, or ridicule, or not being accepted. And listen, acceptance is a powerful motivator! Nobody wants to feel like they’re being left out or rejected…that’s why people use peer pressure - because it works!
You guys know that I usually give you examples of what each fallacy or tactic sounds like, but I don’t really feel like I need to give a bunch of examples for this one b/c we’ve probably all experienced it.
It’s the friend group that’s trying to get you to drink alcohol even though you’re too young or you’ve decided you don’t want to drink. It’s the kids making fun of you b/c you’re not on social media or you won’t look at questionable videos with them and they’re calling you names and making you feel dumb. It could even be the friend who’s making you question what you believe about God, or creation or right and wrong, and is saying you’re a bigot or you’re racist or you’re intolerant because of your beliefs.
What are you going to do in that situation?
Well, I’m going to give you a little bit of a little clue as to what the antidote to peer pressure is. It’s identity.
It’s knowing WHO you are and WHOSE you are. That may sound cliche, but I’m serious right now. The whole world is going to try to make you question your identity. They’re going to try to tell you there’s something wrong with you and are you really sure you’re this? Are you really sure you believe that? Guys, you have to know WHO you are. You have to know who God created you to be. And the only place you can get that is from God Himself - He’s the One who made you! Regardless of where you’re at with God right now, I want to encourage you to start there in your search for identity b/c that’ll be the best, most secure place to find it. And once you know who you are, you’re going to be WAY less threatened by the manipulative peer pressure to do something you don’t want to do just to be accepted.
So, the question to ask yourself when you’re facing peer pressure is this: “Is this actually a good idea or am I being manipulated to do something I don’t really want to do?”… *repeat*
Alright, join me in the next episode for the final episode in our Manipulation mini-series, and…
Remember: When you learn HOW to think, you will no longer fall prey to those who are trying to tell you what THEY want you to think and it all starts with asking one simple question: “Is that really true?”
