The Power of Emotional Reasoning

Much has been written in recent years about Emotional intelligence or Emotional Quotient.  EI/EQ is a person’s ability to recognize, understand, manage, and reason with emotions.  But less has been written about Emotional Reasoning. 

Emotional Reasoning, which has been recognized as a cognitive disorder that can impair a person’s ability to function normally in society, is the act of making conclusions based solely upon emotions.  It can be broken down to the simplistic statement “I feel it so it must be true.”  Emotional Reasoning has the ability to override a person’s feelings, behaviors, and logic.

When attempting to reach a resolution in a case, it can be extremely difficult to deal with someone heavily engaged in Emotional Reasoning.  The worst thing to do, of course, is to tell the person that their feelings are wrong.  Not only is that judgmental, it is dehumanizing.  Instead, it is better to address the emotions, get them out on the table and then process through them when contextualized by the greater picture, be it the dispute or something larger still.

What does not work is bumping heads against it.  Those engaged in Emotional Reasoning will simply use that opposition as fuel to add to their fire.

A skilled mediator recognizes these issues and should be able to work within these parameters. 

To read more, click here.