RESPECT

FOR CHANGE

 

 

Respect for Change is the fourth and final component of the Street Smarts model. Respect for Change is the disposition to change one’s mind in light of reasons and evidence from an alternative perspective. For example, adopting a new diet as a result of deliberation about what one believes is the best option. 

Respecting change means to acknowledge and respect that people may change their viewpoint about a particular topic, without necessarily adopting the opposing viewpoint. For example, we may start working through the Street Smarts model and upon discussion with other students, find our view strongly opposes that of another student. However, as we continue working through the model, we may soften our viewpoint whilst still adopting the same perspective as the beginning.

The Respect for Change component is all about becoming responsive to discussions and re-evaulating the reasons behind our viewpoint. It is important to keep an open mind and prepared to change our minds about particular topics. We should try to search the best arguments for the best views.

In this video example, we see a father and daughter duo and see Alicia’s father cleaning up after her. Alicia’s father is initially angry as he feels that Alicia is spending too much time on her device. He believes that because of this, she is unable to get her chores done and participate in a conversation with him. He then forcefully takes her device away and tries to convince her to go outside by bringing up anecdotal evidence of how much he used to enjoy going outside when he was younger. Alicia believes that a device is a productive tool and attempts to show her father, who has an alternative perspective and believes that a device is an unproductive tool. In Alicia’s attempts to show her father her accomplishments on the device, her father simply refuses to even consider a perspective other than his own.

THE

Nuclear

Family

Alicia

Later on, we see that Alicia is given the opportunity to show her father her perspective and states,

“We were working on a project. Since we live in different suburbs, it’s way easier to meet online.” 

Father

“It’s just that I’m worried about Alicia. She’s shutting the world out.” 

In this context, it is vital to recognise the importance of listening to opposing viewpoints and taking those perspectives into consideration. In this video example, Alicia’s father has disregarded alternative perspectives and come to a conclusion, without gathering evidence of how productive Alicia actually is on her device. 

Father

“I never really did appreciate how much you were getting out of your iPad.”

From this video example we learn that changing your opinion when there is strong factual evidence is a reflection of your open-mindedness. It is important to reflect on what you hear from those with alternative viewpoints. Do not just accept the alternate point of view but instead, take into account all the information you have gathered and then adjust your stance accordingly. Gathering information about unfamiliar topics and that relating to the opposing perspectives will only support you in understanding other viewpoints further and reevaltating the reasons behind your viewpoint. In the end, your viewpoint may still be the same or may have changed. Whichever the case may be, respecting change will allow you to become comfortable with conflicting viewpoints and evaluating the information based off of which, your perspective will be.  

TIPS

These skills take time to practice and improve in. This is why it is important that after completing the Respect for Change component, we must circle back to the beginning and start again. The Street Smarts model is a cyclic process, in which continuous practice of these skills will allow us to become less afraid to evolve our viewpoints and grow our critical thinking and reasoning skills.

ACtivities

Complete the following activities from the topic selected in the Respect for Change component in the Street Smarts model. Alternatively, you can choose to select a topic from the list of topics.

A printable version of this activity can be found in student resources.

On your own

  • Write down your revised argument of what you think about the issue.

  • Include your revised reasons in your argument.

Questions

  • Have we encountered better views now?

  • Have we found better reasons to support our views?

  • How does changing a view impact on other views we hold that are related?

Collaboratively

  • If your original argument remained the same, then explain to your group why it remained the same.

  • If your original argument changed, then explain what or who changed your mind.

  • What was the most important thing you learned about the issue?

  • Agree as a group what seemed to influence the group the most

Reflection

QUIZ

Describe what the Respect for Change component of the Street Smarts model is about.

Respect for Change is the disposition to change one’s mind in light of reasons and evidence from an alternative perspective.

True/False: You must stick to the same viewpoint you had at the beginning, even if you believe that the opposing viewpoint has more strength

False.

 Upon reevaluation, if the reasoning and evidence from an alternative perspective are stronger, it is perfectly appropriate to change your viewpoint to that of an alternative perspective. This is what respecting change entails.

Fill in the blanks: The Respect for Change component is all about becoming ______ to discussions and _________ the reasons behind our viewpoint

The Respect for Change component is all about becoming responsive to discussions and reevaluating the reasons behind our viewpoint.

True/False: The Street Smarts model is a cyclic process and upon completing Respect for Change, we must circle back to the beginning and start again.

True.

Critical thinking and logical reasoning skills take time to practice and improve. It is important to keep practising these skills under different and unfamiliar contexts. This way, not only are we improving these skills but also becoming less afraid to change perspectives and evolve our viewpoints at any stage of the Street Smarts model.

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