The Pillow Method Effect

The Pillow Method Effect

The Pillow Effect Method was founded by a group of school children in Japan to boost not only understanding but also empathy for all the sides of an issue. They related the four sides of every problem to the four sides of a pillow. This normally happens whenever there is a disagreement between two people or parties with one having a different viewpoint from the other. Fundamentally, one party strongly disagrees while another strongly agrees (Schumann et al., 2014, p. 03). In such situations, conflicts may arise prompting for the application of the Pillow Effect method as a communication tool to resolve them.

In conflict resolution, one party needs to put itself in every position of the pillow was encountered. This involves shifting of some perspectives by a party. Completing all the sides correctly means the two parties will gain a mutual understanding as far as the issue is concerned (Schumann et al., 2014, p. 04). The five steps in the pillow effect method are as discussed below:

First Position: You are right and they are wrong. This is the default perspective by everyone whenever they have a view of an idea. This literature requires no effort to understand.

Second Position: They are right and you are wrong. This means one can identify flaws in their views. Requires one to understand the strengths of other people’s suggestions, one of the difficult things to do.

Third Position: Both your positions are correct, and both are wrong. The two parties acknowledge the weaknesses and strengths in every view. Every perspective has flaws and merits as well as commonalities.

Fourth Position: It isn’t important which position is right or wrong. This happens when the two parties realize that they exaggerated the issue to be bigger than reality. In this position, the dispute effects fade away in the long run.

Fifth Position: Finally affirm that there is truth in all four positions. This argues that most disagreements have both wrong and right aspects whether the agreement has been reached or not.

A study concluded that “empathy is often thought to occur automatically. Yet, empathy frequently breaks down when it is difficult or distressing to relate to people in need, suggesting that empathy is often not felt reflexively” (Schumann et al., 2014, p. 03). The study suggests the fact that people empathize in situations that deserve empathy and ignore those offending their beliefs. Or they become insensitive as they find distressing realities from other people. It is crucial to realize that the perception they have towards a problem is not the only possible perception.