One massive question....

[.Sabre.]

Why do you think people always assume that others who they do not agree with, have hidden agendas?


I think it is that people become paranoid due to becoming obsessed with something, for example purity. I think that a person become obsessed with just about anything...or addicted to anything, for that matter.

 

[Lynden1000]

I think it's human nature. People don't like to think they might simply be wrong about something, so they assume the other person has sinister motives for their disagreement.

 

[.Sabre.]

I think it's human nature. People don't like to think they might simply be wrong about something, so they assume the other person has sinister motives for their disagreement.

That is another possible reason.

 

[parsa]

Well everyone has an agenda, don't they? I mean I would think that as long as we have likes and dislikes we all have agendas. And as for the hidden part, well it's not usually so hidden since everyone else claims to know what it is, right?

 

[Merlin]

That's a rather broad statement.
Why do you imagine people think that way?

 

[.Sabre.]

That's a rather broad statement.
Why do you imagine people think that way?

Read my post.

Yes, I know I am painting with a broad brush because this issue is general in focus.

 

[quatona]

Why do you think people always assume that others who they do not agree with, have hidden agendas?

Do people always assume that?

I think it is that people become paranoid due to becoming obsessed with something, for example purity. I think that a person become obsessed with just about anything...or addicted to anything, for that matter.

I´m not sure I understand how this would be a plausible explanation (but maybe I just do not really understand it).

Possible reasons I see:
1. Projection.
2. The experience that people often indeed are not straightforward and fully honest about their intentions (it often starts with how the parents treat their children).
3. The experience that being straightforward and honest about your intentions often does not pay, in that pretending intentions that are better appreciated by your environment gets you easier and quicker to the immediate goal.

Mind reading and intention reading are often the first instruments we use if the speech or the behaviour of someone else is irritating us.

 

[k]

It can either be projection or if empirical evidence is available it could be true. There are several posters whom i can accurately predict what they will say about an event.

 

[Electric Skeptic]

I'm very suspicious about the OP. Why are you asking? Do you have some sort of hidden agenda?

 

[.Sabre.]

No, I don't, actually. But people think I do, and I'm wondering why.