[nothingnew]

I was reading about Defence mechanism - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: "defence mechanisms are unconscious[1] psychological strategies brought into play by various entities to cope with reality and to maintain self-image." Defense is spelled wrong, but interesting I thought. Then I got to this one Intellectualization - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.



from Wikipedia:

Intellectualization: A form of isolation; concentrating on the intellectual components of a situation so as to distance oneself from the associated anxiety-provoking emotions; separation of emotion from ideas; thinking about wishes in formal, affectively bland terms and not acting on them; avoiding unacceptable emotions by focusing on the intellectual aspects.

This is a Level 3 - Neurotic coping mechanism: Neurosis - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
These mechanisms are considered neurotic, but fairly common in adults. Such defences have short-term advantages in coping, but can often cause long-term problems in relationships, work and in enjoying life when used as one's primary style of coping with the world.

It is below Level 4 - Mature:
These are commonly found among emotionally healthy adults and are considered mature, even though many have their origins in an immature stage of development. They have been adapted through the years in order to optimize success in life and relationships. The use of these defences enhances pleasure and feelings of control. These defences help us integrate conflicting emotions and thoughts, while still remaining effective. Those who use these mechanisms are usually considered virtuous.

So I was wondering, what do INTP's think about the intellectualization defense mechanism? I would also ask about this one - Rationalization (making excuses) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, but I am not trying to write a book on psychological defense mechanisms. I am trying to form an opinion. Or I am trying to intellectualize? I dunno anymore, who or what am I? *runs away crying*

[Entr0py]

Meh, those lamish psychologists...

They say intellectualization is bad just because it is not a normal thing to do (most of the people are emotional freaks). Intellectualization helps us see the problem from the right angle, so we can handle it on the best way possible.

Mind (neocortex) > emotions (old parts of the brain)


I belive that as smarter people get, emotions become less and less important for them.

Emotions are the plague that brings all this nonsense of organised religions and wars, bullying and manipulating, but it also brings the beauty of arts, so I don't want it to go away :)

If most of the people on this planet would have an IQ of Leonardo da Vinci or Sir Isaac Newton this ''defense mechanism'' wouldn't be classified like that, but as a normal aproach to the world, a healthy one... And those irattional people would be called emotional bafoons and would be put in a hospitals to learn how to think sometimes...

/rant over

[rememberthisusername]

Meh, those lamish psychologists...

They say intellectualization is bad just because it is not a normal thing to do (most of the people are emotional freaks). Intellectualization helps us see the problem from the right angle, so we can handle it on the best way possible.

Mind (neocortex) > emotions (old parts of the brain)


I belive that as smarter people get, emotions become less and less important for them.

Emotions are the plague that brings all this nonsense of organised religions and wars, bullying and manipulating, but it also brings the beauty of arts, so I don't want it to go away :)

If most of the people on this planet would have an IQ of Leonardo da Vinci or Sir Isaac Newton this ''defense mechanism'' wouldn't be classified like that, but as a normal aproach to the world, a healthy one... And those irattional people would be called emotional bafoons and would be put in a hospitals to learn how to think sometimes...

/rant over

What is the point of thought without emotion though? They are inseperable. I think of it like this:

David solves an equation on the blackboard in order to obtain a prize of joy and happiness.
Mike solves an equation on the blackboard.
Richard wants a prize but can't do equations.

David - Content.
Mike - No direction or motive, existential dispair.
Richard - Unfulfilled.

[Musique247]

Great minds thinking alike - I touched upon this process in a different post.

I use 'anticipation' a lot. I was describing how I create "protocols" for things to prepare myself mentally / emotionally so that the blow isn't so bad. This is when I consider all aspects of a situation and its potential outcomes when making a decision, still keeping options open. I realize that I can't do this for everything, but it allows me to remain calm and flexible, while others are running around with their heads cut off.

[IslandNr1]

I think defence is just the british spelling. I'm not sure on that though.

Now to your point. I think emotions can be pretty annoying especially because they tend to complicate things and don't really help your decision making most of the time, but they definitely aren't useless. I probably use intellectualization more than the others and most of the time it is pretty helpful but in some situations it just doesn't help at all.

[Entr0py]

What is the point of thought without emotion though? They are inseperable. I think of it like this:

David solves an equation on the blackboard in order to obtain a prize of joy and happiness.
Mike solves an equation on the blackboard.
Richard wants a prize but can't do equations.

David - Content.
Mike - No direction or motive, existential dispair.
Richard - Unfulfilled.

I was overexaggerating... I was actually thinking about the emotional domination over thinking.

I completly agree with you btw.

[jockthemotie]

This might be more of an enneagram 5 thing, the 5 type is characterised by the over-intellectualization of life. It is certainly a way to distance oneself . I don't think of it as a defense mechanism per se, but simply a mental mechanism of organising my disposition to the world.

Ti.

[rememberthisusername]

hahahaha, reading over what I'd written I can't stop laughing at this:

David solves an equation on the blackboard in order to obtain a prize of joy and happiness.
Mike solves an equation on the blackboard.
Richard wants a prize but can't do equations.

oh man

[Entr0py]

Originally Posted by Entr0py?

[rememberthisusername]

Originally Posted by Entr0py?

woops, i must have quoted your quote of me.