Fast Company- Before you can reframe an argument, you need to understand what “frames” are in the first places. They’re simply the term psychologists give to the theoretical filters or categories our minds use to help us store, manage, and interpret the meaning of information.
You can tell me you don’t like my haircut. You can tell me you don’t like my necktie. Just don’t tell me you don’t like my framework.
What is a framework? It is the filter that we use for all of our thoughts, words, and actions. And right behind that follows your philosophy.
Asking someone for their personal philosophy can cause people to squirm in their seat. A lot more headway could be made when asking people about their framework. Do you think everyone should be treated fairly? Do you think everyone should be loyal and patriotic Americans?
Most people can give clear answers to these questions under almost any conditions. But would they give similar answers when asked if they considered patriotism and fair treatment to be part of their philosophy? I doubt it.