What usually happens when a person tunes out another due to disagreement?

When a person tunes out another due to disagreement, it is common for them to mentally prepare a rebuttal. This is a typical defensive mechanism where the listener shifts focus from truly engaging with the speaker's ideas to constructing a response that counters those ideas. This response is often a result of emotional reactions to disagreement, leading to a breakdown in effective communication.

In such situations, the listener's cognitive resources are often redirected away from understanding and processing the speaker's message. Instead of being open to different perspectives or considering the possibility of learning something new, they become more focused on their own viewpoint and how to argue against what is being presented. This can hinder productive dialogue and prevent meaningful exchanges of ideas.