(THIS IS A MUST READ ARTICLE)

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Six Tips for Speaking Up Against Bad Behavior

Psychologist and author Catherine Sanderson explains how to be more courageous in speaking up about bad behavior, from offensive speech to harmful actions.

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Why is it that we do not speak up when we are made uncomfortable in social situations?   Or when we know that what is going on makes up stop and pause and believe that we should act but do not?  Catherine Sanderson’s article addresses these and similar issues from what we have learned based upon good Psychological research.  She identifies several factors that inhibit us.   “One factor that inhibits speaking up is our fear of the consequences. Will it cost me a promotion or a raise? Will I lose a friendship, get a reputation as a troublemaker, or be excluded from subsequent family gatherings or meetings? I needed a letter of reference from my boss; I didn’t want to hurt my chances for a strong recommendation”… “Another factor is confusion about what we’re actually seeing or hearing. Is that comment at the office a harmless joke, or is it racist and offensive? Is that spat a minor quarrel, or a serious case of domestic violence? Ambiguous situations like these make it harder for people to step up and act, because we don’t want to appear stupid or overly sensitive.”  

The article provides a number of everyday situations with clear explanations regarding inhibitions about speaking up.  Further, the article details a number of important studies that have investigated this phenomenon to help us understand this phenomenon.   Importantly, Dr. Sanderson provides “Six Tips for Speaking Up Against Bad Behavior” as a way to handle these situations.

SOURCE

Greater Good Magazine, September 30, 2020, by Catherine A Sanderson

LINK TO RESOURCE

https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/six_tips_for_speaking_up_against_bad_behavior

(Tiny URL)  https://tinyurl.com/y295dcwv

CLASS DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

•What are some of the factors involved that inhibit our speaking up social situations?  Provide examples from the article as well as personal experiences.

•What does the research into the area demonstrate about our “inhibitions” to act and/or speak up in difficult and uncomfortable situations?

•If you were giving a lecture to students what steps would you suggest as a way to handle these situations?  

[Wiley Author, Catherine A. Sanderson, writes a bi-weekly blog about social norms, the unwritten rules that shape our behavior. Visit her Norms Matter blog at www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/norms-matter.]