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Blame is rampant in modern society. When something goes wrong the first response for many is to assign blame. A much better first response would be to address the problem and make effective corrections. Why do some individuals seek to blame others while others seek constructive solutions?
The role of blame as an obstacle to constructive solution is illustrated in the conversation below. Arnold and Joan were on their way to a wedding when they got a flat tire.
Joan: Why did the tire blow?
Arnold: How would I know?
Joan: Don’t you check the tires on the car?
Arnold: Yes. But you were the one that took the car for service. Didn’t you know that you are supposed to have the tires checked?
Joan: Of course, I know that. But why didn’t you check the tires when you got gas this morning?
While Joan and Arnold are busily engaged in blame shifting, no progress is being made getting to the wedding. What is required is that either Joan or Arnold stop the blame and focus on the fix. It might sound like this:
Joan: Let’s see if we have a usable spare tire.
Arnold: Great. I think there is a jack in the trunk.
Joan: OK. If that doesn’t work, I will call AAA from my cellphone.
With a single sentence Joan refocused the conversation from a competitive effort to blame one another to a cooperative effort to get back on the road and attend the wedding.
So why do some people prefer to blame?
https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/my-side-the-couch/202101/culture-obsessed-blame