Final answer:
Getting distracted and wandering into unrelated discussions during a conversation is characteristic of a conversational style that can lead to fallacies of diversion. It may indicate psychological patterns and can alienate others if not addressed. Awareness and adaptation are key in maintaining effective communication.
Step-by-step explanation:
Getting distracted during a conversation and wandering off into a discussion of other issues is characteristic of a behavioral style that reflects difficulty in staying on topic. This can be considered a fallacy of diversion, which involves attempts to distract the attention of others away from the primary argument or subject matter. Discussions that devolve into unrelated topics might not only show a person's conversational tendencies but also highlight personality traits or psychological patterns at play. When such behaviors are rigid and compulsive, as mentioned by Horney, they can lead to a person becoming alienated from others as the communication does not effectively resonate with different personality types.
Being aware of these conversational patterns is the first step in avoiding the pitfalls of becoming sidetracked. This awareness allows for better communication with a broader audience by adapting the conversation style to be more inclusive of various personality types. The ability to maintain a focused conversation is essential in effective communication and preventing self-indulgent musings that few others can share in or learn from.