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FAQs

How do you respond to a loaded question? ›

A loaded question is one that contains an embedded assumption. Answering a loaded question without reframing it implies agreement with the question's assumption. For this reason, asking loaded questions is considered a manipulative, underhanded debate tactic and a form of logical fallacy.

When work hasn't changed much, give a neutral response like, “Work is alright, but nothing has changed,” or, “It's been fine.” If you're not happy with your job, avoid negativity and stay professional by saying, “Work has been tough, but I'm managing,” or “It's stressful but I'm doing okay.”

Loaded questions often contain emotionally charged language, exaggerations, or implications that steer the respondent toward a particular response. For example, a loaded question might be, "Do you agree that our company's product is the best on the market?"

The difference between loaded and leading questions

While loaded questions aim to push recipients towards making a particular response, based on assumptions they make about that respondent, leading questions look to get people to answer a question in a specific way, by the way they've phrased that question.

Loaded language is words or phrases that have strong emotional associations or connotations. Examples of loaded words include: good, bad, right, wrong, moral, ethical, etc. The use of loaded language can be used to persuasion and/or to manipulate an emotional response.

Loaded words and phrases have significant emotional implications and involve strongly positive or negative reactions beyond their literal meaning.

Slang. having a great deal of money; rich. under the influence of alcohol; drunk; intoxicated.

How do I comment on my workload? ›

adjective. A loaded question or word has more meaning or purpose than it appears to have, because the person who uses it hopes it will cause people to respond in a particular way. That's a loaded question. Synonyms: tricky, charged, sensitive, delicate More Synonyms of loaded.

Loaded questions are also perceived by many people as trick questions that can make the respondent feel defensive. While they may feel harmless at first glance, loaded questions can also induce a sort of logical fallacy that can appear everywhere from the media to everyday conversations.

What are three things emotionally intelligent people ask themselves before saying anything? Does this need to be said? Does this need to be said by me?

A common way out of this argument is not to answer the question (e.g. with a simple 'yes' or 'no'), but to challenge the assumption behind the question. To use an earlier example, a good response to the question "Have you stopped beating your wife?" would be "I have never beaten my wife".

People have suggested all kinds of ways to respond to these triggering questions. One classic response is to turn the tables and question the questioner. “Why do you ask?” puts the questioner's motivations at the center of the discussion. It's a good way to deflect from the triggering subject.

Trap questions bring out demands for perfectionism, or amplify feelings of shame. Trap questions ought to be ignored, avoided, or, if we must respond, simply say, “it's not a priority.”