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Hypocrisy_Central's avatar

"When a person reads something into a question that was never stated in the question, is it (in your opinion) a predisposition of having a bias to the question, either consciously or subconsciously?

Asked by Hypocrisy_Central (26879points) February 26th, 2014

When someone reads something into a question that was not said in the question nor implied, is it because the reader of the question was expecting to find a message or something in the question? For example, if a question would say something to the effect ”Why are their more accidents with Asian drivers than other drivers?” And someone will assume that the OP has something against Asians, or immigrants, or Asian immigrants. Or someone might ask ”Does being at home help SAHM stay more fit being able to do Pilates or some other form of exercise?” Then someone will think that the OP is calling working women fat, unattractive, or that working women are lazy and never workout, or something like that, which was never in the OQ. Do people find bias or an agenda in questions because they have an issue with the subject the question is asking, or that they can piggyback their issue on the question?

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7 Answers

zenvelo's avatar

It’s because the way the question is written and framed displays an inherent bias in the question, not in the reader. And that bias may be so ingrained in the poser of the question, that he may not realize it, but it is still there in the question.

That bias is evident in even asking the question in the first place.

Hypocrisy_Central's avatar

^ Women post questions too so it is not always a he.

Cruiser's avatar

What I see more often than not especially here is both sloppy rushed answers and questions. Then sit back watch all the comments dissecting the question and subsequent answers take place to reveal that indeed not much time or thought was given into either the question or answer the result of multi tasking distractions or an attempt to deliberately incite controversial debate.

Seaofclouds's avatar

Sometimes, here on Fluther, I think it is more to do with the opinions people have about the asker of the question rather than the question itself. Like it or not, we all develop a reputation on Fluther by our questions and answers. Sometimes, users look at the person that is writing rather than just the writing and they take that users history into the question with them.

Sometimes, I do think people bring their own issues into questions as well. I know for myself I bring a lot with me into questions about rape and rape victims. Because I know that, I try to take my time when responding to those questions and try to focus on the question rather than my personal feelings. If I can’t do that, I avoid the question all together.

Hypocrisy_Central's avatar

@Seaofclouds Sometimes, here on Fluther, I think it is more to do with the opinions people have about the asker of the question rather than the question itself. Like it or not, we all develop a reputation on Fluther by our questions and answers. Sometimes, users look at the person that is writing rather than just the writing and they take that users history into the question with them.

A la Gunnery Sergeant Hartman (Full Metal Jacket), holy smoke Bullwinkle that was an astounding answer! However, I would have to question ”sometimes”, seems way more to me.

BeenThereSaidThat's avatar

When a person has been on social websites for a while you get to have a feel for the person asking the question. In some cases the asker does have an agenda but writes the question in a way to fool other members. I am not saying that about you since I’m new here. I learned this from another website.

On the flip side you will find members who are always looking for a fight and will twist even an innocent question into World War Three.

Then you have the members who hangs on to one topic they can’t let go ( like a dog with a bone). They can turn any question into something they can preach about on usually long long long posts. :)

Hypocrisy_Central's avatar

@BeenThereSaidThat I am not saying that about you since I’m new here.
Thank you, I can’t say I have not seen it here before. There are some whom when they post something I hear or see people stack up against them as how did you put it? On the flip side you will find members who are always looking for a fight and will twist even an innocent question into World War Three. They read into the comment or question what was never there. I guess they have [… the members who hangs on to one topic they can’t let go ( like a dog with a bone). Five questions down the pike they are still trying to rehash an old comment or issue. Thanks for that, don’t make waves or you might find a laser dot on your forehead ~~

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