Thanksgiving 2018: How to defuse tensions on political conversations

With regard to the family, the holiday season can leave you an additional source of anxiety at the table. A CBS News Poll 40% of people try to avoid talking about political Thanksgiving. However, these conversations are sometimes unavoidable, says New York Times science columnist John Tierney: Do not try to win political debates with facts and logic.

"These political views are really based on instinctive feelings and what social psychologists call" moral intuitions. "And liberals and conservatives have totally different conceptions of what is right, what is unfair, what is sacred and taboo, you will not change your mind, "said Tierney on Wednesday at CBS This Morning.

Try to pull something out of the discussion, he advised.

"Instead of telling people that they are wrong, ask them questions, maybe you could learn something from even the strangest members of your family, and if you ask the right question, they could even rethink their position, just come to them and tell them that they are wrong, "said Tierney.

Conversations can become personal because "it's their identity and the tribe they belong to," he said. So look for a common ground.

"A little thing on which both sides can hear and quickly change the subject – like:" These cranberries are excellent! Where did you get them? " You know, that sort of thing, "said Tierney.

If all else fails, ask the guests to talk about themselves.

"I mean, it's the favorite subject of people, and if you ask them enough and they talk enough, they'll think you're the most charming talker," Tierney said.