Chapter 6. Never Debate with your Dog
Useless, Knee-jerk Strategies
Our brains have different parts, with different functions. We have a forebrain, or cortex, where our logical processing takes place. It’s where we analyze and plan and ponder. We also have a midbrain, or limbic system. It’s more primitive than the cortex. This is where our automatic reactions take place. Sophisticated brain scans show that when we are angry, brain activity shifts from our forebrain to our midbrain. Now, the human forebrain is highly complex and sets us apart from other creatures. However, our midbrain is actually not that different in complexity and structure from your dog’s.
So what do we take from this? Simple. When you try to calm an angry person by reasoning with them, by presenting logical arguments and facts…you might as well argue with your dog. Leading with logic in this situation is like knocking on the wrong door: There’s nobody home in that part of the house right now. Anger is not diminished by debate, no matter how well-reasoned your defense. In fact, anger is often escalated by logical debate.