Hey what’s up Thinkers! Kathy Gibbens here…
Let’s start off today by reviewing a fallacy we covered earlier in the season as part 4 of the Manipulation Mini-series called, “For your own good”. If you want to test yourself to see how well you remember, hit pause real quick and see if you can define the “For Your Own Good manipulation tactic!
The For Your Own Good tactic happens when someone tries to influence you to do something under the guise that it’s in your best interest - it’s for your own good. The For Your Own Good tactic becomes manipulation when the person using it isn't really doing it for your own good…they’re doing it because it will benefit them somehow if you do whatever they’re trying to get you to do.
Question to ask yourself: “Does this person really have my best interest in mind or are they actually using me to benefit themselves?”
If you want to review or hear more about this manipulation tactic, go back & check out Episode 49.
Ok, let’s dive into our new fallacy for the day, the Testimonial Fallacy. The Testimonial Fallacy happens when a statement is accepted as true simply because it is made by someone who is perceived as an authority or expert on the topic, or it’s made by a celebrity or well-known personality.
Here’s a simple example that I remember from when I was a kid. There was a TV commercial for cough syrup that featured a famous actor. He started off the commercial saying, “I’m not a doctor, but I play one on TV..” Then he went on to talk about the cough syrup and why we should buy it. Ok, so you can probably see the Testimonial Fallacy in play here. Even though he’s clear that he’s not a doctor, somehow the fact that he plays one on TV and is well-known is supposed to be enough credibility for us to trust him and want to buy this particular cough syrup. In cases like this, it's important to remember that celebrities are paid to endorse these products and services, and their endorsement does not necessarily mean that the product is actually effective or worth purchasing.
You may be thinking this fallacy sounds familiar, and you’re right! The Testimonial Fallacy is actually a type of Faulty Appeal to Authority, which we covered back in episode 20…definitely go back and check it out if you need a review. The tricky thing about Appeals to Authority, including the Testimonial Fallacy is that they can sometimes be true and legit. You can have real testimonials from qualified people, and the reality is, testimonials are very effective. We often rely on the knowledge and expertise of others to inform our own beliefs and decisions. However, just because someone is an expert or authority on a subject does not necessarily mean that everything they say is true. It is important to evaluate the credibility of the person making the statement and the evidence supporting their claims. Also, just b/c someone is a celebrity or well-known, does that mean they’re qualified to comment on any old subject out there? No! That’s where you have to engage your brain and really think through whose testimonial is being shared and why they’re using that person, and decide for yourself whether or not it’s something that you need, based on your specific situation.
Here’s another common example that I see almost daily on social media: It is not uncommon to see non-medical professionals, such as fitness instructors or social media influencers, promoting medical treatments or offering medical advice to their followers. While these individuals may have knowledge and experience in their field, they may not have the necessary training or expertise to accurately and safely advise others on medical matters.
Now could they be right? Sure they could be! But are they right for you? That may be a different story. For example, let's say you come across a YouTube video of someone you follow and generally enjoy their content and they’re claiming that a certain supplement can cure a particular medical condition. While the instructor may have had success using the supplement for themselves, it is important to remember that every person is different and what works for one person may not work for another. Additionally, self-diagnosing and self-treating a medical condition can be dangerous, as the root cause of the condition may not be accurately identified and appropriate treatment may not be administered. You may need to seek the advice of a medical professional for any personal medical concerns.
So, the question to ask yourself when you hear Testimonials online or in support of a particular product or service is this: “Is it really true that this person is qualified to give advice on this topic and to give it for me specifically?”… *repeat*
Now in the next episode, I’m going to be giving you another tactic that is similar to the Testimonial Fallacy and I'll give you the distinction that makes them different. See you then.
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?”
