User:Noamnums/sandbox

Psycholize / psychologizing

Existing definitions (top 4 Google, October 23rd. 2012): The Free Dictionary; Ayn Rand lexicon; Mirriam-Webster; wiktionary;

Alternative definition: falsely putting things in a psychological perspective and thereby attributing the task of solving behavioral problems to an individual, whereas the individual cannot solve the problem because the root cause of the problem lies not within herself/himself; improperly making unwanted behavior something to work on by changing one's mind instead of attempting to change the behavior of others collectively creating that situation (fight) or getting out of an unfavorable environment if that doesn't suit one's genetic makeup (flight). Reference: fight-or-flight response.

Criticism: in social settings, the fight-or-flight response is often depicted as ineffective or irrational behavior, whereas fighting or fleeing may very well be the right / smart thing to do in certain situations.

Example: trying to fix the reservedness or negativity of an introvert in a world dominated by extraverts by means of coaching or training, whereas the causes of the unwanted introverted behavior are of a genetic or situational nature (e.g. being more sensitive or vulnerable to external influences than extraverts). Reference: Quiet by Susan Cain.

Similar / related terms and subjects that already have a page in Wikipedia: nurture versus nature debate; rationalizing (making excuses); anthropomorphism; person-environment fit.

Related terms that do not exist as a separate page, but are mentioned: congruence (methodological / from methodology) ...in qualitative psychological research ...in Work-life interface