This rhetorical technique involves diverting attention away from the main issue by introducing information that is superficially related but ultimately irrelevant. In debates and discussions, red herrings serve strictly as a diversion, leading the audience away from the core argument without them realizing the shift.

The Psychology Behind Red Herrings

Red herrings exploit the audience’s tendency to accept seemingly relevant topics as meaningful without scrutinizing their actual connection to the core issue. When a new topic appears tied to the discussion, it can subtly replace the original issue without raising immediate suspicion. This technique takes advantage of attention redirection - the strategic manipulation of focus to divert attention away from one issue and toward another, often by introducing emotionally salient, novel, or seemingly relevant information.
, where the audience is led to prioritize the introduced topic over the core argument.

Additionally, red herrings give speakers control over the narrative. By steering the discussion to a topic that feels closely related enough, the speaker avoids directly addressing difficult questions or criticisms. This misdirection is effective because the audience often perceives the shift as part of the natural flow of conversation rather than a deliberate attempt to deflect.

How Red Herrings Shift the Focus

The term "red herring" originates from a training tactic for hunting dogs, where a smoked herring was dragged across a trail to confuse the scent. In communications, a red herring breaks the trail of focus by presenting a topic that appears connected to the main issue but fails to engage with it substantively. Because the topic appears relevant on the surface, audiences may not immediately recognize the disconnect. It not only distracts from the main issue but can also make critics appear nitpicky if they try to refocus the discussion. 

For example, when asked about allegations of past sexist remarks toward women in the workplace, a speaker might respond by highlighting how many women he has hired for executive positions within the company. While this response might seem relevant, who he hires for executive positions does not address whether he is still engaging in sexist behavior toward women in the workplace. One does not necessarily exclude the other.

The Challenges of Exposing Red Herrings

Calling out a red herring can be difficult because the introduced topic often appears tied to the issue or seems reasonable at first glance. Critics must carefully explain why the new focus is irrelevant, which can make them seem overly technical or dismissive.

The effectiveness of red herrings is further enhanced by plausible deniability. If challenged, the speaker can argue that their response is loosely tied to the broader topic, putting critics in the position of justifying why the connection is insufficient. 

Identifying Red Herrings

To recognize red herrings, pay close attention to whether a response addresses the issue at hand or subtly redirects attention to a different topic. While the new topic may appear related at first glance, its relevance often fades under closer examination.

Ask yourself:

• Does the response address the original issue, or does it substitute a topic that only seems relevant?
• Even if the new topic seems relevant, does it actually answer the question or criticism being raised?
• If the new topic were removed from the discussion, would the original issue still remain unresolved?