Criticism with care is more persuasive

UZH News — 10 July 2023

When unethical behavior is criticized, demands are often met with defensiveness and denial. How can we overcome this reaction? New research from the University of Zurich demonstrates that criticism is more persuasive when it is expressed with concern for the welfare of those being criticized.

“What the research shows, Prof. Dr. Lauren Howe summarizes, is that criticism works better when it is done with care. She suggests: “When messengers point out harm or wrongdoing, they might consider: What challenges does the group that they are accusing of harm face?” Messengers may want to acknowledge these challenges, if appropriate, to signal to their audience that they are not dismissed as immoral. As messengers raise their voices to criticize one group for harming another group in the service of social change, their arguments are more persuasive when they emphasize concern for the criticized.”