It's easy to ruin relationships, at home or at work, by getting into an argument and letting it devolve past the point of usefulness. A good argument can produce a good things, however. Here's how to have one.


Photo by Jordan Fischer.

Paul Gilbert, writing for Psychology Today, examines some advice on arguing from psychologist Dr. Anthony Wolf. Wolf recommends the following, practical suggestions:

Be polite and don't let your argument include any bickering, sniping, or anything malicious. Remeber that it's about resolving a disagreement, not hurting the other party (or parties).

Stay on topic. Remember what you're arguing about and don't move on to other topics just because your emotions are running higher than usual.

Remember that it's more important to diffuse the tension than resolve an argument. Many arguments can just be let go because they're not important. Don't struggle to always get the last word in.


As we've noted, it's very easy to turn into an asshole and cause yourself a wealth of problems. Try to keep a cool head when arguing and you'll find yourself much more successful. The more polite and calm you remain the less likely that the argument will escalate into a shouting match, since you're just fueling the fire at that point. Instead of grasping at the anger in the moment, concentrate on the outcome. You want it to be good and everyone to end up happy in the end, so stay calm. It's hard to be mean to someone who's continually kind, so keeping a level head—even if you have to fake it—will make your arguments turn out a lot better.

Got any of your own tips for a better argument? Let's hear 'em in the comments.

The Art of the Argument | Psychology Today