What causes self-deception and why do people deceive themselves?

What causes self-deception and why do people deceive themselves? Do people spend entire lives in self-deception? How does self-esteem and low self-play a role in self-deception?

What is self-deception and why do people deceive themselves?

We all lie to ourselves at some point. Whether we are convinced that we are happy in a relationship we are no longer in, that the boss is not as bad as we think, or that the situation is in a certain way.

Self-deception is a common psychological tactic - so common so that people may not be aware that they are deceiving themselves.

Why do we deceive ourselves?

Research defines self-deception as an independent mental state, consisting of conscious and unconscious memories and attitudes, as well as controlled and automated processes, which serve as an attempt to self-protect or improve one's self-image.

Experts' opinion about self-deception: Experts believe that we are deceiving ourselves or actively distorting the reality for the conscious mind, hoping to create a good image in the eyes of others or to ensure a better future.

Can self-deception be constructive or harmful?

However, self-deception can be done in both constructive and harmful ways. It can manifest when we speak negatively of ourselves, when we overly and unjustifiably suspect certain actions, when we have too much or too little confidence in ourselves to carry out an activity, or when we deny the reality of bad news. We lie to ourselves to meet certain psychological needs and sometimes for social gain.

What is the role of self-deception?

A recent study, which examines the role of self-deception, and the strategies people use to deceive themselves, suggests that habit helps motivate in challenging situations.

Researchers observed participants reorganizing beliefs, seeking only supporting evidence, while avoiding unsubstantiated evidence, and rejecting the facts, expressing doubts about the credibility of a source.

Other research has shown that self-deception reduces the cognitive load or the amount of information that can be stored in memory at a given time, and this helps to save cognitive resources.

Some people spend their entire lives in self-deception or denial, but the situations or circumstances they deny worsen over time.

Process of self-deception:

Self-deception is a deeper process than a simple conscious effort to avoid awkward information, but rather an unconscious mechanism of psychological defense that protects against painful or intolerable feelings.

Can self-deception process last for a long time?

Some examples would be people who deny their mismanagement of money or their unhealthy relationship with alcohol or the painful reality of a partner. Ignoring records allows us to avoid taking action.

Is self-deception a process that can last for a long time? "Yes and no," say the specialists. Some people spend their entire lives in self-deception or denial, but the situations or circumstances they deny usually get worse over time. Therefore, it takes more and more effort to keep the information away from the conscious mind.

Cause of self-deception:

One source that can cause this self-deception could be the influence of the media on the human psyche. The information that comes to us from all sides makes it difficult for the brain to discern what is good and what is not.

Categories of self-deception:

Specialists have observed several forms of self-deception and divide them into five categories:

Cognitive Distortions
A distorted view of the self in two possible directions - grandiosity or shame.
Illusions, avoidance and denial
Excessive reliance on logic and rational thinking
Mentality that there are shortcuts to everything, including healing.

They all serve a purpose. Our minds long to have a coherent story about ourselves, our experiences, and the world, and we are drawn to explanations that make sense to each of us so that a tolerable level of coherence is maintained.

Cognitive and emotional dissonance is hard to remember. Self-deception allows us to maintain this sense of consistency, even if it means omitting some of the truth about who we are. We live like this, in a One way or another, a form of illusion.

The benefit of truth:

While lying to ourselves can sometimes be an act of self-preservation, living in that illusion can have a negative impact on the reality we live. It is important to consider the reasoning behind the lie.

Facing the reality that self-deception will probably keep us in toxic, unsatisfactory habits, situations and relationships can be the motivation that leads us to the root of the problem.

So, it's a good idea to look at the places in your life where you feel stuck and ask yourself, "What can I not face, feel, or experience if I'm stuck here?"

Answering this question reveals the invisible benefit we get from self-deception. For example, for an alcoholic, the root of the problem may be that he is unhappy in his marriage and uses alcohol to cope.

While it is important to remember that self-deception can be a survival tactic for people living in dangerous environments from which they cannot necessarily get out immediately, for most, it is a sign of self-preservation.

It is very important to look deeper into the reasoning behind it, to make sure that it does not become a toxic habit, and when we feel capable, to stop the uncomfortable situation instead of pretending that it does not exist or is less serious than it is. in reality.

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