The word "splitting" is spelled with two "t"s in the middle, despite only having one "t" sound. This is due to a rule in English spelling where a short vowel sound followed by a consonant is usually doubled when adding a suffix. In this case, the final syllable of "split" has a short "i" and a "t" sound, so when adding the suffix "-ing", the "t" is doubled to maintain the pronunciation. The IPA transcription for "splitting" is /ˈsplɪtɪŋ/.
Splitting refers to the psychological defense mechanism utilized by individuals to cope with conflicting emotions or thoughts. It is a mechanism commonly associated with borderline personality disorder, but can also occur in other mental health conditions.
Splitting involves perceiving individuals, situations, or experiences as either all good or all bad, without any middle ground or ability to integrate both positive and negative aspects. People employing this defense mechanism often struggle with emotional moderation, leading to extreme black-and-white thinking. They may idolize someone initially, perceiving them as perfect, but as soon as the person does something they dislike, they are suddenly seen as entirely bad.
By splitting, individuals distance themselves from the discomfort that comes with recognizing the complexities of human nature and relationships. Splitting can lead to interpersonal conflicts, as relationships can become strained when the individual abruptly alters their perception of others. Additionally, it can negatively impact self-image and self-esteem, as individuals may struggle with self-acceptance due to this black-and-white thinking.
In therapy, those who split may work on acknowledging and challenging their tendency to dichotomize people and situations. Through therapy, they gain insight into the potential causes of this defense mechanism and develop healthier ways of coping with ambivalent feelings and interpersonal challenges. Overall, splitting can hinder healthy emotional development and relationships, and its recognition and management are integral to personal growth.
A chemical change whereby a complex body is converted into two or more simpler products by a rearrangement of its constituents; hydrolysis.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Act of one who splits or divides.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "splitting" is derived from the verb "split". The term "split" originates from the Middle English word "splitten", which in turn comes from the Old English word "splettan". Its origins can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "splittaną", meaning "to split" or "to cleave". Further back, it can be linked to the Proto-Indo-European root "*splei-", which carries the same meaning. The word has remained relatively unchanged in its basic form throughout history.