How can we reach someone with radical worldviews?
Disinformation and radicalization are a growing threat for the peaceful coexistence in our societies. We can take that challenge by learning new skills, to be able to communicate with our misled neighbors in a productive way. Keep in mind that they are victims of crafty and powerful manipulation tactics. Those techniques induce strong emotions or work with logical fallacies; therefore our intuitive means of communication are rendered useless.
Never argue. Don't try to convince a radicalized person with reason, logic, or facts. It just wears everybody out and can put a strain on your relationship.
Don't appear smug, lecturing, or from a high horse. This makes them understandably more defensive and weakens your point.
Try to find common ground and things you can agree on. This will ease tensions, increase trust and make your side easier to accept.
Be patient, understanding, and a good listener. Getting them back to reason is a process. If you rush, you will over-push and eventually be seen as a threat.
If you get verbally attacked, simply ignore it or point out how hurtful this feels for you.
Don’t make every encounter about those heated topics. Having less controversial conversations about different things will help to slowly get back to a fruitful communication.
There are different ways to actually approach a radicalized person. All of them have in common that they don't go against their beliefs, but rather challenge them from within their concepts, add new information, or appeal to their emotions. It’s essential to work towards a broader mutual understanding and a deeper emotional connection. Let your conversational partner know that you care about them.
Radicalized people tend to get bitter and lose joy in their lives. Pointing this out as an observation in an unobtrusive way, without naming the cause, creates an opportunity for self reflection. An agreement to avoid controversial topics can lead to similar outcomes in a more subtle way. This also prevents that you spend too much time in those conversations.
You can point at flaws within their ideologies by asking interested questions in a harmless curious way. Be empathetic, don't try to show them how "stupid" they are. Asking what led to a certain belief can create opportunities to carefully point at alternative explanations. Curiosity and empathy enable us to learn more about the motives and worries of our conversational partner.
You can present new knowledge as indicated by this study. A report about possible long term damages of COVID patients can achieve that the virus is taken more seriously. A video from an ICU or personal anecdote may also work. Just don’t end up in a discussion. Add substantiated information without getting butthurt if it gets initially rejected. It's a process and it may continue to work even if the conversation is over.
You can explain the basics of critical thinking, how to refute manipulation techniques, an understanding for science and the importance of journalism for a free society.
You can challenge them with an exaggeration within their concepts.
"The earth is flat.“
"No, it's a cube."
This gives the opportunity to find flaws and fallacies in their concepts by themselves. Don’t be hurtful or mean.
For cult members it seems that strongly affirming them in their choices is the most effective approach.
“I’m so glad you’re really finding yourself. All this interest in scientology seems to be making you happy.”
It will help them to reflect on their life, general state, and saws doubts that will grow over time.
In short, don't go against their ideology. Add new information and help them question their destructive concepts instead. It’s now on us to work on our communicational skills and pick the most suitable ways to help our friends and family members. Observing ourselves and staying level headed will help us to not end up in another extreme. This process is an opportunity to learn about ourselves and interpersonal interaction.