WatermanHawkins955

Rationalization: "The devising of self-satisfying but false reasons for one's behavior." Often we do not know why we do what we do, and perhaps such ignorance is okay, or should really be. Our temptation should be to explain, but that often does nothing useful. In reality, it can just get in the way of real understanding.

Justification - A Clinical Example

When John went along to the hypno-therapist, he was hypnotised, and given the post-hypnotic training to get up and placed on his coat when the therapist touched his nose. They started to speak, once he was out from the trance. The specialist scratched his nose at some time in the conversation, and John straight away stood up and wear his coat.

Once the counselor asked him why, John discussed "Oh, I thought he became popular the coat and we were finished," and sat down again. Briefly afterwards, the doctor touched his nose again. David placed on his coat and again straight away stood up. "It gets cold in here," he explained this time. He never knew he was unconsciously answering a post-hypnotic suggestion.

Needless to say, if you think about any of it for a moment, you'll realize that this scenario is not unique to hypnosis. Many factors get into our decisions and actions, and we behave as though we're alert to them. Like bad John, we feel compelled to explain ourselves - and to believe our answers. One of our best practices is rationalization.

Just Say 'I Really Do not Know'

When a daughter or son includes a plate at his brother, and his mother needs "Why can you do that!?" he says, "I do not know." It's almost certainly the straightforward answer, but it's not adequate. With hours to examine the little one, a pychologists might not understand the child's action with confidence, but a six-year-old is likely to understand his behavior and have a reason ready in seconds.

Now, he may well not understand his own motives, but he quickly realizes that a conclusion is expected. As adulthood, it is unusual for almost any people to say "I do not know" when questioned about our behavior, by a result. We quickly explain. This is a problem, is not it? If our rationalizations are already accepted by us how do we understand the actual causes?

Perhaps a much better approach is to be in the practice of saying "I do not know." For the sake of our very own comfort, we're able to follow with "Maybe it's because of..." and allow answers pour out, so long as we're not too quick to accept some of them. We must recognize that it is not always required to describe.

Suppose, like, that you're preventing a person, and don't really know why. Isn't it easier to leave the question open than to accept a false reason based on a pattern of self-justification? You may sometime have a much better understanding, if you abandon questions unanswered. Quick answers mean a quick stay in your thinking.

Self-explanation can be the opposite of self-understanding. Perhaps it is time for you to figure out how to recognize our ignorance, and to begin observing ourselves. Only say, "I don't know," to break the habit of rationalization. therapist northern virginia