Throughout one’s life, one must use the power of argument to convince employers, peers, and even family of the validity of one’s ideas. The employee seeking a raise cannot simply approach the boss and say, I want a raise; he must convince the employer of the appropriateness of the raise. There are, of course, different types of argument for different situations. In the aforementioned situation, for example, the employee might use Rogerian argument, to get the boss to relate to his situation before requesting the desired adjustment. Herein shall be expounded the principles and practices of Rogerian argument for the benefit of the all the people who have ever argued.
Every day we, as humans, have the need to argue. It’s used when people are trying to make their point, when teachers teach students, when an employee explains the need for a new product, and even when the careless driver’s car smacks the bumper of another car. We use it so much sometimes we don’t even know we are arguing. Rogerian argument is one possible way to achieve the goal of those arguments. For example Rick Wetherell is an elected volunteer member of the North Bend City Council. He has worked as a high school teacher for many years and he uses the Rogerian style of argument daily.
On the 27th of January 1997 I interviewed Wetherell and asked him how Rogerian argument plays a major role in North Bend’s City Council meetings. We were both surprised to realize how much he used Rogerian in his everyday life.
Generally before a public city council meeting takes place the council, made up of six members, will get together in a planning meeting and prepare the council’s statement. This is so they don’t conflict with each other in front of the public. At this meeting they use the five steps of Rogerian argument, to listen, understand, paraphrase the argument, ask for a verification, and always keep both sides talking, to help each other understand and come to a compromise. Most of the time they don’t even realize that they are using the Rogerian style; therefore, it is more of a subconscious act than a thought out process. "It helps us to understand what the others are trying to say and it helps to clarify my own thoughts," Wetherell said. "For example while talking to the council about asphalt companies I said, ‘That asphalt company is a dirty rotten cheat!’ Another council member then asked, ‘Do you mean you don’t like the company or you’ve had problems with their work.’ ‘Oh! I meant we’ve had problems with them in the past,’ I clarified." Occasionally they would also have difficulty agreeing on the wording of a statement. At these times one or more council members will turn to the Rogerian style to come to a compromise.
1. Listen and 2. Understand
3. Paraphrase the argument and 4. Ask for a verification
5. Keep both sides talking
A few examples he gave of the use of Rogerian argument were, for example, while talking to a specialist it took a lot of Rogerian style conversation to understand what the person was saying. "’We will lay a strip of class 64B black rubber asphalt over a thirty two square block area for approximately $4500,’ the specialist would say. The council would then look at him like he was from another planet. ‘So what your saying is you’re going to lay a lot of asphalt for $4500. What is ...,’ someone would start to question," Wetherell said. He made it clear that the Rogerian style of argument is well used in the city council meetings as well as at school and at home. After the interview Wetherell said that "[Rogerian argument] is a necessary part of all communication," not just a part of the council meetings.
The uses of Rogerian argument are evident, yet it is essential that we demonstrate that Rogerian argument is more than simple household logic. Our current President, William J. Clinton, often takes advantage of Rogerian argument to get the audience involved, and to put everyone in the audience on the same wavelength. An example of this may be found in his 1997 Inaugural Address. Clinton begins his address in such a way as to put everyone in the same sort of mood, by including the audience in his speech, and by speaking idealistically.
...Let us lift our eyes toward the challenges that await us in the next century. It is our great good fortune that time and chance have put us not only at the edge of a new century, in a new millennium, but on the edge of a bright new prospect in human affairs—a moment that will define our course, and our character, for decades to come. We must keep our old democracy forever young. Guided by the ancient vision of a promised land, let us set our sights upon a land of new promise....
President Clinton then continued to elaborate upon the great potentialities within America, and to make his argument for a united government. To keep the audience involved in the speech, Clinton repeatedly asks questions like, "Will we all come together, or come apart?" By the end of the speech, Clinton was drowned out by applause at the conclusion of nearly every statement. Thus it is that Rogerian argument may be used to unite an audience, and to draw it to your own conclusions gradually, as well as to resolve arguments, etc. Truly, Rogerian argument is suitable for many and varied occasions.
The Rogerian style of argument is very simple and less confrontational than most argumentative styles. Created by Carl Rogers, a therapist, it is the foundation for healing many clients. He wrote that in order "to heal the client, the therapist must listen, say "Tell me more," restate and reflect back what he hears in purely descriptive language, and never evaluate." (Brent: 3) From this simple explanation the debater learns that first he or she must listen to the argument. While listening they should try to understand what the other side is saying and attempt to paraphrase the argument. At this point asking the opposition to correct your summary is very helpful. It makes certain that a dialog is occurring, as opposed to a monologue. This approach tries to "keep people talking and negotiating" (Laib: 293); however, it is also very effective in speeches like in the one mentioned above by Bill Clinton. The goal of Rogerian argument is typically not to blatantly defeat the opponent, but for everyone to come to an understanding and to possibly discover a compromise or a partial solution. Finally, as stated by Carl Rogers himself, "NEVER evaluate." This style of argument will fail if the opposition thinks it seems weak or manipulative.
1. Listen
2. Understand
3. Paraphrase the argument
4. Ask for a verification
5. Keep both sides talking
Obviously following this model would take a lot of patience; however, in the end your argument will be remembered longer and will tend to have a longer lasting result. Of course, like all argument, there are a few cases where this form would be best disregarded. These situations are "when the opposition remains adversarial and when the focus is clearly on winning." (Laib: 293)
Rogerian argument, as has been demonstrated, can be used to the advantage of everyone in almost any situation. Rogerian is inappropriate for court cases and the like, but there is little else beyond the horizon of its potentialities. Even politicians use Rogerian argument, and politicians follow nothing if not the standard of popularity. Many politicians may now be seen in the lotus position, practicing their Yoga! Therefore, we heartily recommend Rogerian argument to you. And remember, "Outside of a dog, a book is man’s best friend. Inside of a dog, it’s too dark to read." -Groucho Marx.