What Does Intellectualize Mean?

In psychology, intellectualization is a defense mechanism by which reasoning is used to block confrontation with an unconscious conflict and its associated emotional stress – where thinking is used to avoid feeling. It involves removing one's self, emotionally, from a stressful event.

What does it mean to intellectualize your feelings?

Intellectualization involves a person using reason and logic to avoid uncomfortable or anxiety-provoking emotions. Intellectualization can be a useful way of explaining and understanding negative events.

What is an example of intellectualization?

People can address defense mechanisms like intellectualization by bringing awareness to their emotions and accepting difficult feelings. For example, if you drop a beloved antique dish and intellectualization springs into play, you might focus on finding a new serving dish right away.