The time period “thought-terminating cliché” was coined by Robert Jay Lifton in his 1961 e-book Thought Reform and the Psychology of Totalism, which outlined his theories concerning the ego formation. “The language of the totalist surroundings is characterised by the thought-terminating cliché,” writes Lifton. “Probably the most far-reaching and sophisticated of human issues are compressed into temporary, extremely reductive, definitive-sounding phrases, simply memorized and simply expressed. These develop into the beginning and end of any ideological evaluation.”
In much less tutorial language, Lifton is declaring the human tendency to take complicated emotions, ideas, and politics, and shrink them into quick, intelligent phrases that are not essentially untruthful, however do not inform the complete story. A fantastic instance is when political events say one thing like, “that is all a part of the liberal agenda…” or “that is all a part of the Republican technique to…” Whereas these dismissals aren’t completely false, they create dialog to a grinding halt and hold individuals from considering extra deeply about essential points.
12 Frequent Although-Terminating Clichés
Beneath, discover a number of thought-terminating clichés particularly focused at psychological well being. And bear in mind, in the event you’re struggling to look after the well-being of your mind or discovering your self counting on these clichés usually, it is price speaking to knowledgeable who will help you develop extra sustainable self-talk expertise.
- “It’s what it’s.”
- “So it goes.”
- “It could possibly be worse.”
- “Time heals all.”
- “Somebody on the market has it worse than you.”
- “What does not kill you makes you stronger.”
- “It is all the time darkest earlier than the daybreak.”
- “This too shall cross.”
- “It is all about stability.”
- “Attempt to look on the intense aspect.”
- “The solar will come out tomorrow.”
- “The one manner out is thru.”
How To Keep away from Thought-Terminating Clichés
When you begin listening in for thought-terminating clichés, you’ll hear them in all places (usually disguised as poisonous positivity). Even generally held items of people knowledge, like “every little thing occurs for a purpose” technically fall prey to this human must simplify, simplify, simplify. A few of the most dangerous, reductive ones may be discovered within the realm of psychological well being. For instance, in the event you’re feeling depressed or anxious, and somebody says one thing like, “simply dangle in there,” you may in all probability really feel worse, not higher.
That stated, now that you simply know the terminology, you’ll be able to establish once you (or somebody round you) is utilizing this tactic. Then you’ll be able to resolve to reframe your personal ideas, or take into account in the event you can talk to your companion why these kind of phrases simply aren’t useful. On the very least, you may have a greater understanding of why individuals really feel the urge to boil issues all the way down to fundamental, pithy phrases. And hey, on the threat of utilizing my very own thought-terminating cliché, that is higher than nothing.
