Part 2 Talk w/people lower on the spiral by finding shadow & using Integral

Jiu Jitsu Persuasion: Talk with people lower on the spiral by identifying shadow & using an Integral approach, Part 2
Saturday, December 8th, 2018 4-6 PM

Facilitated by Christine A Baser, R.N., Ph.D. and Sandra Brim, Ph.D.

Part 1 of this presentation was well received and San Diego Integral members decided upon a Part 2 to further refine the experiential process.
In Part 1, we broke into 4 smaller groups. One member role-played a rigid Red or Amber (or even Orange or Green to a certain extent) world-view on a social or political issue they chose. Before responding, the rest of the members of the small groups discussed the stage of development they were speaking from as well as the thematic content (see below). Once their developmental attitude and content category was identified, we experimented with verbal approaches that avoided a defensive contraction (UL) and a visceral reaction (UR). This was verified by the person playing the Red or Amber role for each attempted approach. We noted how far we could move and what actually expanded this person’s ability to open space.

Part 1 Description This topic was originally chosen as we anticipated approaching the holiday gatherings with family and friends. Some of us anticipate “hot button” discussions and swallowing anger along with turkey. However, we also wanted to expand this to more general experiences of discussions with people lower on the spectrum. There are effective methods for dealing with the resistance of people who cannot take a different perspective and disparage opposing ideas. One example is Jiu Jitsu Persuasion*. We will discuss and experience the art of persuasion in a manner very different from head-on debate or lecturing. Get ready for your discussions about climate change with science-denier Uncle Joe. Have an effect on Aunt Mary, who hasn’t changed her mind since 1962. Be prepared to leverage your message, jiu jitsu-style as well as very clearly using Integral Principles as our framework.

Hornsey, M. J. & Fielding, K. S. (2017). Attitude Roots and Jiu Jitsu Persuasion: Understanding and Overcoming the Motivated Rejection of Science. American Psychologist. 5,[masked].

Each month we will bring an Integrally related topic, subject matter or methodology to explore. Meetings will be interactive with an invitation for all to participate.

In February, 2017 San Diego Integral began the Focused Integral Group Discussion (FIGD) which is a meta-structuring format where we briefly switch into an agreed upon process to optimally utilize the We-Space. The objective of FIGD is to collectively feel deeper into any topic and promote a causal state experience where we briefly switch from a collective I to a collective we. A Focused Integral Group process is "running in the background" until a salient moment rises that we want to explore. This may be derived from a presentation, a poignant comment by a member, a poem...whatever has resonance and can be horizontally expanded by the collective. This moment is identified by the "moderator" who helps maintain focus.

FIGD have three parts. It begins with a formal focus, followed by commentary on the process and then a discussion. Each segment lasts for 3-8 minutes. We have committed to a minimal of three FIGD per meeting. We have found that the intensity of these collective focused moments have increased with experience and skill and seem to delightfully persist throughout the three phases. This is very much an experimental process we have been Improving upon after each meeting.

As previously mentioned FIGD was initially described for the February, 2017. The sequential evolution of FIGD can be seen in the PAGES tab above. New or returning members are encouraged to read these brief papers in preparation for participation. Updates have followed each SDI meeting.