Talk is cheap - Behavior Change is priceless!

Logical talk, or reasoning based on facts and logic, typically fails to change behavior for several reasons:

1. Emotional Resistance: People are usually driven by emotions rather than logic. When emotions are involved, logical arguments may not resonate. For example, fear, anger, or attachment can easily override rational thinking. (in 2002 Daniel Kahneman, a psychologist ,won the Nobel Prize in Economics for his work proving most decisions, even in Fortune 500 Boardrooms, are NOT based in logic and solidified the field of Behavioral Economics.)

   
   

2. Cognitive Dissonance: When individuals hold beliefs that conflict with logical arguments, they may experience cognitive dissonance. To resolve this discomfort, they might reject the logical argument rather than change their behavior or beliefs.

   
   

3. Habitual Patterns: Behavior is often habitual. Even when someone understands the logical reasons for change, breaking established habits can be difficult. Change requires effort and motivation, which logical arguments alone may not provide.

   
   

4. Lack of Personal Relevance: If a logical argument does not feel personally relevant or applicable to an individual's life, they may disregard it. People are more likely to change behavior when they see a direct connection to their own experiences or values.

   
   

5. Social Influences: Social norms and peer influences can significantly impact behavior. Even if someone understands the logic behind a certain action, they may conform to group behavior instead.

   
   

6. Overconfidence in Knowledge: Sometimes, individuals may believe they already know enough about a topic and resist new information, even if it is logical. This overconfidence can lead to a dismissal of logical arguments.

   
   

7. Complexity of Change: Changing behavior often involves multiple factors, including environmental, social, and psychological elements. Logical arguments may address only one aspect, making it insufficient for comprehensive behavior change.

   
   

8. Motivation and Incentives: Logical reasoning may not provide the necessary motivation or incentives for change. People are more likely to change their behavior when they see clear benefits or rewards.

   
   

So, as much as logical talk can provide valuable insights, it often doesn't do anything to elicit real change in behavior. Effective behavior change typically requires addressing emotional, social, and motivational factors first, then after that you can move on to presenting logical arguments.

The foundation has to be set before the house can be built.

1. Laying a foundation starts with digging out the are to remove obstacles. You always need to dig deeper than the planned depth to allow for drainage. The bigger and heavier the stuff that will be riding on this foundation, the deeper and more solid you go.

2. Then you install drainage pipes to sure any ground water that comes along will drain away. If it builds up water pressure can easily blow out a concrete wall.

3. Then you put down a layer of gravel to fill in any small gaps and start to build back up to the level of the floor or pad.

4. Depending on the area, or type of construction, you might put down a layer of sand and rake it even, to level things.

5. THEN you pour concrete, or set stone, for the actual foundation in how ever steps that may take.

If you set the foundation before preparing the spot the foundation will eventual fail and the building will start to collapse.

Same applies with behavior modification and learning. If you don't do the groundwork first your foundation wont hold up and anything you put on top will fail under stress.

Likewise with a garden. If you don't prepare the soil, it can't take the seed. Nothing grows.

All that work, all those resources, to watch your garden either get washed away in the first rain or wither and die from drought because it can't hold enough water.

Take the time to set the proper groundwork beforehand and everything built upon that will tolerate the test of elements and time.

Check out our other posts in Witness Prep series to give you a better handle

 on Psychology of Stress and Behavior Modification