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distancing_language [2024/08/23 13:20] – [Guilt, Shame and Distancing Language] tomdistancing_language [2024/10/19 17:52] (current) – [Agency and Distancing Language] tom
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 It's important to keep in mind that the use of distancing language or third-person pronouns does not necessarily mean that a therapist is intentionally unempathetic or uncaring. It's important to keep in mind that the use of distancing language or third-person pronouns does not necessarily mean that a therapist is intentionally unempathetic or uncaring.
  
-=====Guilt, Shame and Distancing Language=====+===== Agency and Distancing Language=====
  
 Speakers of different languages vary in how they describe events, which influences how they perceive and remember who is responsible for an action.[( :harvard:Boroditsky2011>> Speakers of different languages vary in how they describe events, which influences how they perceive and remember who is responsible for an action.[( :harvard:Boroditsky2011>>
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 )] Even split-second accidents require us to interpret what happened, and the language used can significantly impact the perception of guilt and shame. For instance, in the quail-hunting accident involving former Vice President Dick Cheney, where he accidentally shot Harry Whittington, the event can be framed in different ways: “Cheney shot Whittington” directly assigns blame to Cheney; “Whittington got shot by Cheney” distances Cheney from the outcome; or “Whittington got peppered pretty good” removes Cheney from the narrative entirely. Cheney himself used distancing language by stating, “Ultimately I’m the guy who pulled the trigger that fired the round that hit Harry,” inserting several steps between his action and the result. President George Bush’s account—“he heard a bird flush, and he turned and pulled the trigger and saw his friend get wounded”—goes even further, subtly shifting Cheney’s role from active participant to passive observer, thus minimizing his perceived responsibility. )] Even split-second accidents require us to interpret what happened, and the language used can significantly impact the perception of guilt and shame. For instance, in the quail-hunting accident involving former Vice President Dick Cheney, where he accidentally shot Harry Whittington, the event can be framed in different ways: “Cheney shot Whittington” directly assigns blame to Cheney; “Whittington got shot by Cheney” distances Cheney from the outcome; or “Whittington got peppered pretty good” removes Cheney from the narrative entirely. Cheney himself used distancing language by stating, “Ultimately I’m the guy who pulled the trigger that fired the round that hit Harry,” inserting several steps between his action and the result. President George Bush’s account—“he heard a bird flush, and he turned and pulled the trigger and saw his friend get wounded”—goes even further, subtly shifting Cheney’s role from active participant to passive observer, thus minimizing his perceived responsibility.
  
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 =====Distancing in Mental Health===== =====Distancing in Mental Health=====
  • Last modified: 2024/08/23 13:20
  • by tom