Today on Big Think I wrote about how framing can enhance persuasion — and also romance — as the latter is certainly a form of the former. Framing in conversation suggests or imposes a type on the interaction. Is this a game, serious talk, just passing the time, getting to know each other, or any of a host of other possible types of conversation? By knowing the type of conversation, most of us are at least somewhat familiar with the rules — within our primary culture. In the blog, you’ll find an example of violating the romance frame. This is how many relationships meet an untimely end.
To the extent that we enter conversations with others without regard for framing, the risk of things going wrong is high. Take a look at the blog. See what you think. Perhaps tomorrow you’ll want to insert some frames into your conversations to make sure you and the other person or people involved are on the same track. It’s possible to overdo this. That’s for sure. But ignoring it altogether is even more problematic. It’s one of those techniques we all know about, but often forget to employ.
