Intellectualization

Intellectualization is an Awareness Reduction Mechanisms that the Bodily Ego uses to avoid uncomfortable confrontation with reality. Intellectualization involves engrossing oneself in the cognitive/intellectuals aspects of a situation to the point where you completely disregard the uncomfortable emotional aspects that are involved.

Other Awareness Reduction Mechanisms

Awareness Reduction Mechanisms > Avoidance, Denial, Displacement, Dissociation, Distortion, Distraction, Diversion, Gaslighting, Intellectualization, Internalization, Projection, Rationalization, Reaction Formation, Regression, Repression, Sublimation

Related LP Terms

Awareness Reduction Mechanisms > Bodily Ego, Cognitive Wall, Defence Mechanisms, Disjuncture, Externally Directed ARMs, Internally Directed Arms

Non-LP Related Terms

Awareness Reduction Mechanisms > Ego Threat, Unwanted Self

Notes

Intellectualization is a form of informational positioning in which one concentrates on the intellectual components of a situation so as to distance oneself emotionally. For example, an individual who has experienced sexual assault seeks information on other cases and the psychology of rapists and victims. The individual takes self-defence classes in order to feel safer rather than directly addressing the psychological and emotional issues. Or, a pedophile having sex with 12-year-old intellectualizes by showing statistics that children legally marry adult men in some cultures.

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