SELFDECEPTION Meaning and
Definition
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Self-deception is a psychological phenomenon characterized by the conscious or unconscious distortion or manipulation of reality by individuals in order to protect themselves from negative emotions, unpleasant truths, or cognitive dissonance. It involves a person deceiving themselves about their own thoughts, beliefs, motives, or actions, often by creating illusions, rationalizations, or justifications.
In self-deception, individuals may be unaware that they are altering or denying reality, as it occurs at a subconscious level. This can be a defense mechanism to maintain a positive self-image or to alleviate anxiety, guilt, or shame. It enables individuals to perceive themselves in a more favorable or acceptable light, leading to a distorted perception of their own capabilities, virtues, or faults.
Self-deception often arises when individuals hold conflicting beliefs or desires, leading to a discrepancy between what they genuinely believe and what they want to believe. In this process, individuals may unknowingly ignore evidence that contradicts their beliefs or selectively pay attention to information that confirms their pre-existing biases.
Self-deception can have various negative consequences, such as hindering personal growth, impeding honest self-reflection, damaging relationships based on trust, and inhibiting the ability to solve problems effectively. Recognizing and overcoming self-deception requires self-awareness, introspection, and critical thinking. It involves confronting uncomfortable truths, accepting personal responsibility, and embracing cognitive dissonance to align beliefs and actions with reality.
Common Misspellings for SELFDECEPTION
- self-decption
- self-deception
- aelfdeception
- zelfdeception
- xelfdeception
- delfdeception
- eelfdeception
- welfdeception
- swlfdeception
- sslfdeception
- sdlfdeception
- srlfdeception
- s4lfdeception
- s3lfdeception
- sekfdeception
- sepfdeception
- seofdeception
- selddeception
- selcdeception
- selvdeception
Etymology of SELFDECEPTION
The word "self-deception" is a compound word formed by combining the prefix "self-" with the noun "deception".
The prefix "self-" originates from the Old English word "self", which means "oneself" or "one's own". It is derived from the Proto-Germanic word "selbaz" and the Proto-Indo-European root "*s(w)e-", which carries the meaning of "self" or "alone".
The noun "deception" comes from the Latin word "deceptio", which is the past participle of the verb "decipere", meaning "to deceive" or "to cheat". The Latin word "decipere" is a compound word formed by combining "de-" (meaning "from" or "away") and "capere" (meaning "to take" or "to seize").
Similar spelling words for SELFDECEPTION
- self-deception,
- self-directed,
- self-direction,
- self-education,
- self-deceit,
- self-feeder.
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