DECEIVING ONESELF Meaning and
Definition
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Deceiving oneself refers to a psychological phenomenon where an individual intentionally distorts or misinterprets reality or facts in order to protect their emotions, beliefs, or self-image. It involves an individual creating or accepting false or misleading information, often unconsciously, to avoid facing the truth or uncomfortable aspects of their lives or actions.
When someone deceives themselves, they may engage in various cognitive mechanisms such as denial, rationalization, or selective attention. Denial occurs when an individual refuses to accept or acknowledge evidence or facts that contradict their preconceived notions or desires. Rationalization involves inventing justifications or plausible explanations to make one's actions or decisions appear acceptable or morally justified. Selective attention pertains to focusing only on information that confirms one's existing beliefs or desires, while disregarding contradictory evidence.
The act of deceiving oneself can have both positive and negative implications. On the positive side, it can serve as a self-protective mechanism to shield oneself from emotional pain or discomfort. It can provide a temporary respite from facing challenging circumstances or personal flaws, which may promote short-term psychological well-being. However, deceiving oneself can also hinder personal growth and development, as it prevents individuals from accepting responsibility, making positive changes, or experiencing genuine self-awareness.
In summary, deceiving oneself is a self-deceptive process where individuals distort or misinterpret reality to protect their emotions, beliefs, or self-perception. It involves various cognitive mechanisms to deny, rationalize, or selectively pay attention to information. Although it may provide temporary relief, deceiving oneself can hinder personal growth and development in the long run.
Common Misspellings for DECEIVING ONESELF
- seceiving oneself
- xeceiving oneself
- ceceiving oneself
- feceiving oneself
- receiving oneself
- eeceiving oneself
- dwceiving oneself
- dsceiving oneself
- ddceiving oneself
- drceiving oneself
- d4ceiving oneself
- d3ceiving oneself
- dexeiving oneself
- deveiving oneself
- defeiving oneself
- dedeiving oneself
- decwiving oneself
- decsiving oneself
- decdiving oneself
- decriving oneself
Etymology of DECEIVING ONESELF
The etymology of the phrase "deceiving oneself" can be understood by examining the origins of the individual words within the phrase.
1. Deceive: The word "deceive" originates from the Latin word "decipere", which means "to ensnare, catch, or deceive". The Latin word comes from "de" (meaning "away" or "from") and "capere" (meaning "to take" or "to seize"). Over time, "decipere" evolved into "deceivre" in Old French and was eventually anglicized to "deceive" in Middle English.
2. Oneself: The word "oneself" can be traced back to the Middle English phrase "one's self", which was formed by combining the pronoun "one" (meaning "a person") and the reflexive pronoun "self" (meaning "oneself" or "itself").
