What is the term for avoiding unacceptable emotions by focusing on intellectual aspects instead of personal impact?

Intellectualization is the term used to describe the defense mechanism in which an individual avoids confronting uncomfortable or distressing emotions by focusing on the intellectual or cognitive aspects of a situation. This allows a person to detach from the emotional elements involved, often leading to a more analytical or logical understanding of their experiences without allowing personal feelings to interfere.

For example, someone facing the stress of a medical diagnosis might dive into researching the condition and discussing treatment options in a detached manner, rather than fully addressing the fear or anxiety the news has caused. This method serves as a protective barrier, enabling individuals to cope with emotional turmoil without fully engaging with it. By relying on rational thought, they create a buffer against the emotional impact of the situation.

Other choices reflect different defense mechanisms. Repression involves unconsciously shutting down thoughts and feelings without processing them, while denial outright refuses to accept reality or facts. Projection, on the other hand, attributes one's own unacceptable qualities or feelings to others. Each of these mechanisms serves a distinct function in psychological coping, but intellectualization specifically addresses the avoidance of emotion through cognitive detachment.