Self Deception
What is self-deception?
Convincing yourself that something untrue is reality, often by denying or ignoring important information.
What are the three main components of a habit loop?
Trigger, behavior, and reward.
What is problem-solving?
A mental process involving discovering, analyzing, and solving problems.
What is the shadow self, according to the curriculum?
Parts of ourselves that we hide, reject, or become unaware of, including traits, feelings, impulses, and even positive qualities.
According to the curriculum, what is one function of fear?
Fear helps keep us safe by alerting us to potential danger.
What type of self-deception occurs when someone downplays the seriousness or impact of a problem?
Minimization.
In a habit loop, what is the trigger?
A stimulus or cue that prompts a behavior. It can be external, such as a time of day, or internal, such as stress.
What is the difference between identifying a problem and defining a problem?
Identifying means recognizing the source of the problem. Defining means clarifying exactly what the problem is, its scope, and which parts are facts versus opinions.
What is psychological projection?
Displacing one's own emotions, impulses, or qualities onto another person, animal, or object.
What does the phrase “If you can name it, you can tame it” mean in relation to emotions?
Identifying and understanding an emotion can help us respond more intentionally and choose an effective coping strategy.
Someone blames their entire group for a failed project and refuses to consider their own contribution. What form of self-deception might this represent?
Projection — attributing one's own problems, qualities, or responsibility to others.
Why is it important to identify the actual reward or result of an unwanted habit?
It helps us recognize whether the behavior is truly helpful or only provides temporary relief while creating longer-term problems.
During which problem-solving step should someone brainstorm several possible solutions before choosing a strategy?
Forming a strategy.
What is the difference between the persona and the shadow?
The persona is the self we consciously present to the world; the shadow includes aspects of ourselves that we hide from or do not recognize.
What is the difference between an impulse and an action, and how can the “Feeling, Not Acting” skill help?
An impulse is an urge to do something; an action is the behavior we choose. Pausing allows us to notice the urge and decide whether to use a skill or tolerate the feeling without acting on it.
Someone repeatedly delays an assignment because they believe they can finish it quickly later, without considering the time or effort required. What type of self-deception is this?
Procrastination based on an inaccurate assessment of the task and one's ability to complete it.
Someone wants to build a daily meditation habit. According to the curriculum, why should they choose an immediate reward rather than focusing only on long-term benefits?
An immediate reward helps reinforce the behavior and strengthens the association between the habit and a positive outcome.
After trying a solution, someone checks whether it worked and changes their approach when progress is limited. Which problem-solving step does this demonstrate?
Monitoring progress.
Someone becomes intensely irritated whenever a coworker acts selfishly but struggles to acknowledge their own selfish behavior. How might shadow work help?
It can encourage compassionate self-reflection about whether the person is rejecting or disowning a similar quality in themselves, without assuming that every irritation is projection.
How can practicing gratitude help someone experiencing anxiety or depression, according to the curriculum?
Gratitude can redirect attention from repetitive negative thinking toward positive aspects of life and may support mood, patience, relationships, and sleep. It is a supportive practice, not a replacement for needed treatment.
Name two strategies from the curriculum that can help someone overcome self-deception.
Examples include accepting that self-deception occurs, stopping the justification of lies, understanding why the lie exists, considering long-term consequences, practicing self-discovery, accepting constructive feedback, and setting achievable goals.
Someone recognizes that drinking is causing problems but has not yet decided to make a change. What information would you need to determine their stage of change, and why?
You would need to explore their awareness of the problem, willingness to change, and whether they are considering or planning action. Recognizing a problem alone does not establish the exact stage; their readiness and intentions matter.
Name three factors someone should consider when allocating resources to solve a problem.
Available time, money or other resources, deadlines, the problem's priority, and potential risks associated with each solution.
Name two potential benefits of shadow work discussed in the curriculum.
Greater peace, happiness, connection with others, healthier relationships, spiritual growth or maturity, creativity, and clarity or insight.
Someone feels intense anger and wants to send a hurtful message immediately. Using two skills from the curriculum, explain how they could respond differently.
Use “Feeling, Not Acting” to pause and tolerate the urge without immediately sending the message. They could also use “Opposite to Emotion” by choosing a constructive response that balances the urge, such as stepping away, calming down, or communicating assertively when ready.