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Minimisation (psychology)


Minimisation is a type of deception involving denial coupled with rationalisation in situations where complete denial is implausible. It is the opposite of exaggeration. Minimization—downplaying the significance of an event or emotion—is a common strategy in dealing with feelings of guilt. Words associated with minimisation include:

Minimization may take the form of a manipulative technique:

'Typical psychological defenses exhibited by stalkers and guilty criminal suspects include denial, rationalization, minimization and projection of blame onto the victim'.

A variation on minimisation as a manipulative technique is "claiming altruistic motives" such as saying "I don't do this because I am selfish, and for gain, but because I am a socially aware person interested in the common good".

Minimization may also take the form of cognitive distortion:

School bullying is one form of victimization or physical abuse which has sometimes been unofficially encouraged, ritualized or even minimised as a sort of prank by teachers or peers. The main difference between pranks and bullying is establishment of power inequity between the bully and the victim that lasts beyond the duration of the act.

Understatement is a form of speech which contains an expression of less strength than what would be expected. Understatement is a staple of humour in English-speaking cultures, especially in British humour.


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