Increase your self-esteem by understanding the primitive defense mechanism devaluation (1 minute read)

This post “Increase your self-esteem by understanding the primitive defense mechanism devaluation“ continues with how you can increase your self-esteem by getting to know and manage your thoughts and feelings.

Increase your self-esteem by understanding the primitive defense mechanism devaluation:

Devaluation is the defense mechanism opposite of idealization which was the topic of the last post.

Devaluation is when viewing self and others as all bad, attributing exaggeratedly negative qualities.

It is the opposite of idealization. Devaluation is when something that is not desired or even disliked has its weak points exaggerated and its positive dimensions played down.

An example is when students criticize their teachers, demonize them as if not having any emotion and sense of justice while ignoring positive information and good behaviours.

Or demonizing a political party thinking about how awful their views are, not taking in possible positive views.

Devaluating is also when considering our traits as being negative and awful by supporting them with argumentation proving how awful we are and at the same time downplaying positive facts such as compliments from others. By doing this we supress proofs that we have positive sides. This also creates a greater contrast that makes the good traits seem even less likely.

More about how you can increase your self-esteem in the next post. See also the free blog or the course How to develop self-esteem and boost your confidence at https://jennyrappbefree.com