If you want to know what’s inside or figure out how something works, then one of the best methods is a stress test. In the field of relationships and communication, this is akin to breeching a sensitive topic and then waiting for the result.
Asking a provocative question is an opportunity to check how people deal with a difficult topic – how they think, how they counterargue. At first glance, this could look like an easy first step to a conflict. A person’s motivation may be curiosity, but it also might be an attempt to acquire knowledge that allows them to better control their environment. Regardless of where the truth actually lies, you can expect a negative reaction from the other party.
Knowing for whom such communication is likely to evoke a wave of negative emotions, and for whom it will not, may be crucial information for both parties.
