Assignment: Shifting Perspectives- The Pillow Method
Select a disagreement that may be affecting a relationship at home, school or work. Briefly write out enough background information for a peer to understand the issue. Record your conclusions at the end of the exercise.
Background Information: Who is involved? How long has the disagreement been going on? What are the basic issues involved? Describe the issue from each of the four positions listed below.
• Position I: Explain how you are right and the other person is wrong.
• Position II: Explain how the other person's position is correct, or at least understandable.
• Position III: Show that there are both correct (or understandable) and mistaken (or unreasonable) parts of both positions.
• Position IV: Describe at least two ways in which the elements developed in positions 1-3 might affect your relationship. Describe at least one way in which the issue might be seen as more important than it was originally.
• Conclusion: Explain how there is some truth in each of the preceding positions. Also explain how viewing the issue from each side has changed your perception of the issue and how it may change your behavior in the future. Explain how this issue and your understanding of it may affect your relationship.