Loaded Question
Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-30
CORE DEFINITION
A loaded question presupposes an unverified premise, usually unfavorable to the respondent. For example, "Have you stopped beating your wife?" Whether the answer is yes or no, it admits the premise of "beating your wife."
SCAFFOLDING EFFECT
Reduce cognitive load
Presupposition trap. When being interviewed or interrogated, one must be able to recognize loaded questions. Do not answer "yes/no" directly; first deconstruct and negate the presupposed premise: "I have never beaten my wife."
Anchor fast decisions
A questioning fallacy that wraps an illegitimate presupposition. The question is grammatically normal but implies an unverified premise, usually unfavorable to the respondent (e.g., "Do you still beat your wife?"). Whether the answer is affirmative or negative, the respondent is forced to admit the premise. The mechanism is that a linguistic presupposition is quietly implanted, raising the cost of rebuttal.
MINIMUM ACTION
In progress 0/5Practice this model in one real situation:
account_treeGenealogyexpand_more
menu_bookReferencesexpand_more
Source support: Explicit
- en.wikipedia.orghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loaded_questionverified
PRIVATE NOTES · Only visible to you
SAVED Q&A
ENTRY Q&A · Private saving available
Ask with a clear boundary
thinkingmodels answers from published entry context only.
Your question is sent to thinkingmodels. The answer uses public entry context only.
RELATED MODELS