The secret to winning a heated argument could come down to how fast you speak
Study finds that talking fast makes you sound more credible, but it could depend on where you are in the world
If there was one piece of advice I got from teachers growing up, it was this: “Slow down! I can’t understand what you’re saying.”
As a result, I spent the bulk of my adolescence and early adult years making a conscious effort not to overwhelm my listeners with thousands of words per minute, no matter how jazzed up I was about whatever I was saying.
So I was intrigued by some scientific findings I came across while researching an article on ways to influence people.
Apparently, if you’re trying to persuade someone to see your point of view, it’s probably best to speak quickly. That’s because the person will not have time to really think critically about your arguments.
On the other hand, if your listeners already agree with what you’re saying, it’s best to speak slowly, so they do have time to parse your words and appreciate the strength of your arguments.
In a study, researchers had undergraduate students in the US — most of whom supported a lower drinking age — listen to a message about a recently passed law that raised the legal age for purchasing and consuming alcohol from 19 to 21. Then, some students heard a speech in favour of the new law, while others heard a speech opposing the law.
The speech was delivered at three different paces: slow (144 words per minute), moderate (182 words per minute), and fast (214 words per minute).