“Human beings have a demonstrated talent for self-deception when emotions are stirred.” Carl Sagan
Self-deception is undeniably adaptive. It is one of the most efficient ways to mediate anxiety and otherwise lessen negative emotions such as depression and shame – without it we are at risk of doubt, hesitation, and demoralization. There is arguably a further benefit to self-deception in that we are better able to deceive others and make it less likely to give away our real thoughts and intentions. One common form of this is when we promote the illusion that “nothing is wrong” and “everything is fine”. While self-deception provides obvious benefits, it can also backfire. It has the potential to obstruct objectivity, restrict an ability to attune, and can strain our connections to others. This defense mechanism, intended to decrease anxiety, can also perpetuate anxiety – when faced with evidence incongruent to our self-deceptions we can be sent into states of panic, confusion, disillusionment, and distress. This is why self-deception joins Cozolino’s (2010) list of problematic functioning that can cause an individual to seek counselling:
1) The suppression of language and predictive capacity under stress
2) Divergent hemispheric processing
3) The bias towards early learning
4) The tenacity of fear
5) The damaging effects of stress hormones
6) The speed and amount of unconscious processing
7) The primacy of projection
8) Unconscious self-deception
What is becoming overwhelmingly clear is that self-insight has not exerted much pressure on natural selection. Particularly, in times of stress thinking has not only become more automatic, it becomes self-serving. It is increasingly known that both secure-attachment and ego strength are associated with an ability to hear feedback, accept limitations, and resort less to reality-distorting defenses.
In therapy, interpretations, clarifications, and reflections offer an opportunity to challenge biases and create alternative perspectives. Therapist and client engage in reality testing exercises, and while the definition of “reality” is often complex, we learn to broaden our perspectives and allow for a better understanding of the many facets of any situation. Self-awareness has become increasingly valuable as a means to navigate a social climate that is ever-changing and more than ever an ability to effectively and appropriately attune is a cornerstone to our vitality and a life worth living.
“Suppose we were able to share meanings freely without a compulsive urge to impose our view or conform to those others and without distortion and self-deception. Would this not constitute a real revolution in culture.” – David Bohm
References
Cozolino, L. (2010). The Neuroscience of Psychotherapy: Healing the Social Brain. W.W.Norton & Company: New York, NY