People who are falsely accused tend to get angry–which makes others believe that they are indeed guilty. Those are the highly frustrating results of a new study from researchers at Harvard. If you’re an employer, you need to watch out for your own instincts, which could lead you to assume an innocent person has done something wrong. And, importantly, you should use this information to temper your own reactions if you’re ever falsely accused yourself.
In a study titled “Anger Damns the Innocent,” researchers from Harvard Business School and the University of Toronto conducted six studies to determine how people react to being falsely accused, and how those reactions affect others’ perceptions of their guilt or innocence. In one experiment, they randomly assigned 230 subjects to either an easy or difficult editing task and told them they’d be paid a $2 bonus for doing it correctly. The easy task, which most participants got right, was to capitalize the first and last letters of every paragraph in the text. The difficult task, which most got wrong, was to find and remove every adverb in the text. After they were done, all participants got the same message, ostensibly from a research assistant saying their answer was believed to be wrong, indicating that they hadn’t been paying proper attention and therefore the $2 bonus might be withheld.
For most of those who’d done the easy task, this was a false accusation, whereas it was basically true for those who’d had to do the hard task. Those who were falsely accused reported feeling angrier, and to claim they were being unfairly assessed. I think even without a study, most of us would recognize this as a normal human reaction–when we are accused of something we didn’t do, we get really peeved. I still remember the hissy fit I pitched in my veterinarian’s office when I was accused of–and billed for–being a no-show at an appointment I had actually rescheduled.
But here’s the problem. While getting ticked off is a normal human reaction to a false accusation, it will make others believe you are guilty. The researchers tested this across four studies. In the first three, participants watched clips from a television show called Judge Faith, or read a description of a courtroom proceeding, or an account of a man accused of cheating on his girlfriend, or a man accused of stealing from his employer. In each case, they got to see or read about the accused person’s reaction. Every time, participants judged those who reacted angrily as being guiltier than those who reacted with calm. The only people who seemed guiltier to these subjects were those who pleaded the fifth in court and refused to say anything at all.
Even the pros get it wrong
Then they performed a similar experiment on 136 professionals whose jobs ought to give them some insight into guilt and innocence–law enforcement professionals, fraud investigators, lawyers, and similar professions. Even they thought those who reacted with anger–and those who refused to answer questions at all–were likely to be guilty. They thought those who reacted calmly were most likely to be innocent.
It’s a sad state of affairs when even trained professionals think reacting calmly to an accusation makes you innocent and reacting angrily makes you guilty, when the opposite is likely to be true. But what can you do about it?
For starters, when you ask an employee–or anyone else–if they’ve done something wrong and they respond with anger, don’t assume that they did it. “We find that such anger is an invalid cue of guilt and is instead a valid cue of innocence,” the researchers write. Most people–even professionals whose jobs require them to parse the guilty from the innocent–use emotional cues to determine whether someone is guilty. More often than not, following these emotional cues will lead you to the wrong conclusion. This tallies with existing literature, which suggests that most people are really bad at knowing whether someone is lying or telling the truth.
There’s a small audience of Inc.com readers who receive a daily text from me with a self-care or motivational micro-challenge or idea. Often they text me back and we wind up in an ongoing conversation. (Interested in joining? You can learn more here.) Some of them have told me about times when they were accused of something they didn’t do, and how hard it is to stay calm when that happens.
So next time you accuse someone of doing something wrong and they blow their stack, give that person the benefit of the doubt. And if you’re falsely accused yourself, whatever else you do, try not to react with anger. It will just make people think you’re guilty.
Gina Carano, who played Cara Dune in The Mandalorian, recently warned about surrendering freedoms following (alleged) President Joe Biden’s new vaccine mandate.
(Alleged) President Joe Biden addressed the nation on September 9th where he announced his plan for new vaccine mandates.
In his speech he stated, “Many of us are frustrated with the nearly 80 million Americans who are still not vaccinated. Even though the vaccine is safe, effective, and free.”
He would later add, “What makes it incredibly more frustrating is that we have the tools to combat COVID-19, and a distinct minority of Americans supported by a distinct minority of elected officials are keeping us from turning the corner. These pandemic politics, I refer to, are making people sick, causing unvaccinated people to die.”
Then in utilitarian fashion he declared, “We cannot allow these actions to stand in the way of protecting the large majority of Americans who have done their part and want to get back to life as normal.”
Biden then announced his new mandate, “As your President, I’m announcing tonight a new plan to require more Americans to be vaccinated to combat those blocking public health.”
He then declared what his plan entailed, “First, we must increase vaccinations among the unvaccinated with new vaccination requirements…This is not about freedom or personal choice. It’s about protecting yourself and those around you. The people you work with. The people you care about. The people you love.”
“The Department of Labor is developing an emergency rule to require all employers with 100 or more employees that together employ over 80 millions workers to ensure their workforces are fully vaccinated or show a negative test at least once a week,” he added.
Biden then listed off a number of companies that are already using the policy, “Some of the biggest companies are already requiring this: United Airlines, Disney, Tyson Foods, and even Fox News.”
The (alleged) President then claimed, “We are going to protect vaccinated workers from unvaccinated co-workers. We are going to reduce the spread of COVID-19 by increasing the share of the workforce that is vaccinated in businesses all across America.”
On top of mandating that businesses with over 100 employees will have to ensure their workers are vaccinated or tested once a week, Biden also announced, I will sign an executive order that will require all Executive Branch federal employees to be vaccinated.”
“And I’ll sign another executive order that will require federal contractors to do the same. If you want to work with the federal government and do business with us, get vaccinated. If you want to do business with the federal government, vaccinate your workforce,” he added.
Carano appeared to respond to this speech by posting an image that reads, “The freedoms you surrender today are the freedoms your grandchildren will never know existed.”
Carano has spoken against government lockdowns in response to the pandemic in the past. Towards the end of June she tweeted, “The best time to have spoken up about these draconian lockdowns would have been when they locked us down.”
She continued, “The second best time wouldn’t been ANYTIME since they locked us down.”
“The third best time would be… NOW. Don’t let this go on,” she concluded.
In October 2020, she also spoke out against lockdowns preventing family from visiting their relatives in Nevada hospitals.
She wrote, “I request to restore the freedom to visit our loved ones during their stay at the #Nevada hospitals. We will abide by new regulations but patients MUST be allowed a family member with them during these times.”
“Governor Sisolak, Respect life, choice & freedom. Let families be together,” Carano declared.
In September 2020, Carano also called for businesses and churches to open up.
She wrote, “Open up your businesses & churches. Put whatever regulations you want to because that is your right but open them up.”
“You’re telling me Covid-19 knows the difference between a protest or praise & worship. I haven’t even been to church in over a decade but I sure would go now,” she added.
This YouTube video by Team Ki presents a cardio and endurance workout. It’s a Tabata style workout, in which you work hard for 20 seconds, take a 10 second break, and repeat for a set number of rounds. The host Kenichi Sato performs basic Karate techniques, called “kihon,” turning this into a practice drill session.
The workout includes blocks, punches, kicks, and other types of hand strikes. There are 6 blocks of exercises, with 4 techniques each, and each technique is practiced with both sides of the body. This gives us 48 rounds total, for a 24 minute workout.
With the guilty verdict in the Derek Chauvin trial (and possible appeal due to the wreckless rhetoric of Congresswoman Maxine Waters,) police reform is on everyone’s mind. It’s my opinion police corruption does exist, but only in certain cities. The public can combat that corruption by raising up departments in more ethical cities, and even from other countries. Japan is home to the safest cities in the world, and they’re kept that way by police who practice martial arts and make it a lifestyle.
In the following YouTube video by Chadi, we learn that police in Japan are required to practice Judo, and encouraged to practice Kendo. Judo and Kendo are modern and streamlined versions of Jiu-jutsu and Kenjutsu, respectively. Jiu-jutsu and Kenjutsu were practiced by samurai in Japan’s feudal age. Judo is a style of unarmed grappling, and Kendo is Japanese-style swordsmanship.
It may not seem like sword fighting has any use in modern times outside of sports. However, the video explains that Kendo teaches one a proper mindset and split-second decision making. Judo has more practical use to modern police when they need to subdue and handcuff suspects. The debate in the Derek Chauvin trial was that, even though George Floyd was on drugs that impaired his breathing, Chauvin shouldn’t have held his knee on Floyd’s neck for so long. I invite practitioners of Judo and Jiu-jutsu to comment whether there are any safer submission techniques available.
It’s not enough to learn martial arts techniques, however. One must practice them regularly and strive to continuously improve. A commenter on one of Chadi’s other videos discusses the need for constant practice, or else the skills will deteriorate, and the police officer will revert back to unsafe practices. Whatever style of martial arts you practice, it’s meant to be a lifetime pursuit of excellence.
In this post, we learn of strategies and phrases to disarm toxic people in our lives. They are presented in the following YouTube video by Inner Integration. Toxic people such as narcissists and sociopaths crave to impose their will on others, so we need practical strategies to protect our freedom. This applies not just to our personal lives, but in the larger society.
Around the world today, one of the main topics of debate is whether or not to take the COVID 19 vaccine. Some people believe it will keep them safe from the virus, while others are suspicious of the establishment pushing it so hard. As with many cases of corruption, I feel the deeper issue is abuse by narcissists, sociopaths, etc. If you’re being pressured by your employer, friends, or family, into doing something you think is wrong, use the following strategies and phrases to stand up for yourself. Similar to certain styles of martial arts, you will redirect the enemy’s attack and turn it back on them.
5 Strategies To Disarm Toxic People
Breathe: Deep breaths bring you into the present moment.
Set a new boundary: Get comfortable saying “no” to this person.
Observe: Mentally separate from the interaction and imagine watching it in the 3rd person. This helps you judge the situation objectively. Remove your emotions from the interaction.
Guard your attention: The toxic person wants to direct your attention to their own purposes, and get you to react emotionally. Focus on things that line up with your integrity.
Phrasing: Verbally redirect the toxic person’s attacks so you don’t clash head-on.
Phrases To Disarm Toxic People:
“That’s interesting. I wonder why you feel that?” This helps when you’re setting boundaries and made to feel selfish for doing so.
“That’s possible.” For when you’re insulted or called names.
“I see you feel strongly about this, and we see things differently.” For when you have a difference of opinion and it’s no use arguing your points.
“I would like to maintain a relationship of mutual respect.” Say this when there is a huge outburst of verbal abuse. Understand it’s not really about you, and you don’t need to feed them your emotions.
“Let’s talk when you’re feeling better.” You can also say this during an outburst. Don’t feel obligated to respond to them immediately; give them and yourself time to think.
“I noticed you’re upset. Did I do something to offend you?” Say this when the toxic person is committing covert abuse, like the silent treatment or passive aggression. Only approach them when you’re ready, on your terms.
“I see how upset you are. What do you think you’re going to do about it?” Say this when someone constantly complains and feeds off your sympathy, but doesn’t make a change.
“I hope you feel better.” Say this when someone throws an outright tantrum of insults and abuse. It’s not your responsibility to help them when they’re like that.
In this YouTube video by USCCA, we learn the difference between gun storage and staging in the home, and how to practice them safely. Storage is keeping an empty gun unused for long periods of time, while staging is having one ready, yet secure, in case of a home invasion.
The hosts describe their recommended miniature gun safe for staging. It can be opened with a combination or sequence of button presses. Then they show products for storing unloaded weapons and transporting them to a shooting range. Keeping children safe is obviously imperative; guns should be out of reach from small children, and safety rules should be taught from before the time they’re old enough to handle them.
