Patterning Techniques 4: Assertiveness Conditioning
Broken Record
One of the fundamental assertion techniques for getting your own way/self
programming/self-hypnosis by deploying patterned repetition.
'Broken record' involves just that - emulating a record that has got stuck
in a groove and goes around and around repeating the same thing
irrespective
of any objections or queries about what, how or why. It is the epitome of
simple patterned conditioning of the mind of self and any others who might
come within hearing range. The 'assertion trainers' recommend use of the
technique when:
a) handling 'conflict' situations
b) saying no
c) clarifying questions
d) correcting superiors/those in authority
e) when expressing feeling or opinion
and
f) in situations where (ironically) the 'other person' isn't listening
In using this technique, the advice is basically to speak as a
propagandist,
i.e.
1) identify the point you want to make
2) make a short, clear statement of it (= a slogan)
3) stick to the point with no wavering, no explanation, variation or
discussion
and
4) persistently repeat it, over and over again, ignoring any arguments,
statements, questions or evidence to the contrarary until you wear down
and
condition your 'audience' (and your self...)
5) use monotony such as to obtain near perfect repetition of the message
Examples:
* 'I'm not going back to your house'
* 'Your price is excessive: reduce it'
* 'Smith has a unicorn hidden at the bottom of his garden'
* 'Your president is not a crook'
* 'Bullcorp does not pollute the atmosphere'
The supposed power of 'broken record' style lies in is its infuriating
uniformity-a uniformity that eventually convinces even the most
intransigent
opponent (but note, owing to the 'self-conditioning' involved in the heavy
repetition, it implicitly carries the seeds of self-delusion if the chosen
slogan does not relate to reality).
It is also effective over time in that it supposedly develops the '
assertiveness' of the user over time. Additionally, if used continuously
in
relation****p with another person it signals to the other that what the
user
says is not likely to ****ft irrespective of counter arguments. Both the
previous statements are nominally accurate in that repetition fixates and
hardens attitudes ('attitudes' actually comprising heavily fixated
patterning of neuronic structure).
The reality of the effectiveness of the technique actually lies, as the
propagandists and advertisers have discovered, in progressively
conditioning
the nervous system by repetition.
The broken record technique is very often used by politicians, cor****ate
executives and officials, in 'debate', and in individual and series' of
speeches and interviews, wherein they will attempt to repeat a favourable
(simplified = generalised & thus information deleting and misleading)
slogan - nowadays known as a 'sound bite' - over and over such as to
imprint
the consciousness of listeners with misleading concepts.
Statements of 'Rights'
The assertiveness trainers make a big issue of the concept of 'rights',
the
concepts probably arising in the US cultural background of 'Bill of
Rights',
civil rights movement and women's liberation. Typical rights statements,
which the trainees are encouraged to repeat and hence implant (thus fixing
'
attitudes' again), are as follows:
I have the right to state my wants and set my own priorities.
I have the right to defend myself.
I have the right to behave independently.
I have the right to express my feelings.
I have the right to a fair reward for my work.
I have the right to be treated with respect as an equal human being.
I have the right to decline responsibility for other's problems.
I have the right to express my own opinions and values.
I have the right to say 'yes' and 'no' for myself.
I have the right to change my opinion.
I have the right to reject poor service.
etc.
Note the repetitive 'broken record' form associated with each individual
statement (within the overall patterning of 'rights') of 'I have the right
to...' and further note the gross repetition of the words 'I' and 'my' -
which are sounds that neuronically pattern ego-image fixation and
self-centred ideation. Likewise the recommended use of 'I' form statements
as in: 'I don't like it when you______. I want you to______.' (the student
fills in the blanks) in much of this assertiveness training.
Saying No
Many assertiveness training courses emphasise that their students should
learn and develop "The 'Art' of Saying No" and recommend that this is done
by practical repetitive conditioning using the following (typical)
techniques:
* Role play.
The student works with a partner or partners in repeatedly and calmly
answering 'no' (out loud) to any questions the partner(s) ask, the
questions
often being prearranged by the course organisers. The idea here is to
condition the student - using tens and tens of repetitions - to actually
come out with the word 'no' as a semi-automatic response & in doing so
overcome any pre-existing inhibition to saying 'no'. Unfortunately, as
with
a lot of this training, the questions do not arise from a general 'any
type'
of question ground but are usually 'I' related - and the recurring 'no'
responses serve to fixate ego.
* On The Streets
The student is encouraged to go into various shops, restaurants, bars &
public places and ask strangers for various things, examine them and then
say: 'No I don't want that' (or some similar mantram) without offering any
explanation. If challenged/queried they reply in similar manner - being
sure
to say 'no' and using 'broken record'. Again the idea is to get used to
saying 'no' as a semi-automatic response.
Again, this comprises an adaptation of of the basic 'broken record'
technique of monotonous repetition (of 'no') irrespective of question,
person or cir***stance.
To close, the essence of 'assertiveness' lies in the repetitive fixation
of
consciousness around the ego. Many people learn to balance this this quite
naturally in their childhood environment, but some - those who might have
been conditioned to introversion at an early age - do not & are genuine
candidates for corrective assertiveness training. Ultimately, excessive
'assertiveness', owing to its fixation and dispro****tionate emphasis in
consciousness on ego, in the form of 'I', 'me', 'mine. and 'my', becomes
selfishness and aggression.
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