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--- distancing_language [2023/02/06 17:52] – andrewtaustin
+++ distancing_language [2026/09/03 16:07] (current) – Tag line moved to the foot of the page so it no longer starts the meta description andrewtaustin
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-======Distancing Language======
+====== Distancing Language ======
-"Distancing language" refers to linguistic choices that create a sense of emotional or interpersonal distance between the speaker and the topic being discussed. This type of language is characterized by the use of more formal, objective, and neutral terms and expressions, as opposed to more personal, subjective, and informal ones.
+The "[[iemt#the_maybe_man|Maybe Man]]" pattern of chronicity taught in [[iemt|Integral Eye Movement Therapy (IEMT)]] is a form of distancing from the emotional content of experience; however, there are many more patterns of distancing. "Distancing language"[(Distancing_language>Distancing language[[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Distancing_language|Wikipedia]])] refers to linguistic choices that create a sense of emotional or interpersonal distance between the speaker and the topic being discussed. This type of language is characterised by the use of more formal, objective, and neutral terms and expressions, as opposed to more personal, subjective, and informal ones.
 Some common features of distancing language include:
-  * **Nouns and passive voice instead of personal pronouns and active voice**: For example, "The data was analyzed" instead of "I analyzed the data".
+  * **Nouns and passive voice instead of personal pronouns and active voice**: For example, "The data was analysed" instead of "I analysed the data".
   * **Formal vocabulary and syntax**: For example, "It is imperative that measures be taken to address the issue" instead of "We need to do something about this".
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 Examples of contexts where distancing language is commonly used include scientific writing, legal documents, news reporting, and medical documentation.
-====References====
+Here are some examples of distancing language and [[pronouns|pronouns]]:
+**Distancing Language**
+  * Using technical terms or medical jargon, instead of everyday language
+  * Avoiding the use of personal pronouns
+  * Speaking in a formal or distant tone
+  * Using passive voice constructions, such as "It was reported that..." or "The patient was seen by the doctor."
+**Examples of third-person pronouns**:
+  * "The patient has been experiencing depression."
+  * "They have been struggling with anxiety."
+  * "The client's symptoms are indicative of PTSD."
+**Examples of first-person pronouns**:
+  * "I can understand how you're feeling."
+  * "You have been through a lot."
+  * "We can work together to find ways to cope with your anxiety."
+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.
+===== 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>>
+authors   : Lera Boroditsky
+title     : How Language Shapes Thought
+publisher : Scientific American Vol. 304, No. 2 pp. 62-65 (4 pages)
+published : Feb 2011
+url       : https://web.uvic.ca/~dbub/Cognition_Action/SpecialTopicsEssays_files/How%20Language%20Shapes%20Thought.pdf
+)] 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 minimising his perceived responsibility.
+<WRAP CENTER 50%>
+{{youtube>I64RtGofPW8?full}}
+</WRAP>
+===== Distancing in Mental Health =====
+Distancing language can play a role in shaping our perceptions and experiences of mental health conditions, both for those who have a mental health condition and for those who are interacting with them.
+For individuals with a mental health condition, distancing language can serve as a coping mechanism to manage the stigma and shame often associated with mental illness. By using more formal or neutral language to describe their experiences, they can maintain a sense of control and avoid being perceived as overly emotional or vulnerable.
+However, this use of distancing language can also perpetuate the stigma surrounding mental health conditions and limit opportunities for open and honest discussions about mental health.
+In the mental health care setting, distancing language can also be used by healthcare providers to maintain a professional distance and avoid appearing biased or judgemental. However, this can sometimes lead to a lack of empathy and understanding and can contribute to the feeling of being dehumanised or disconnected from others.
+It is important to recognise the impact of distancing language on mental health and to strive for more open, compassionate, and non-stigmatising communication, both in personal and professional contexts. This can help reduce shame and stigma, increase access to care, and promote overall well-being for individuals with mental health conditions.
+===== Distancing Language in Police Interviews =====
+Distancing language is often unconsciously used by guilty suspects in police interviews to distance themselves from a crime or situation.[(PS>To Spot a Liar, Listen Closely[[https://www.psychologicalscience.org/news/minds-business/to-spot-a-liar-listen-closely.html|psychologicalscience.org]])]
+It can be a way for the suspect to avoid taking direct responsibility for their actions, or to lessen the impact of what they did.
+For example, a violent husband is more likely to say, "//the relationship had issues and was sometimes violent//" than "I hit my wife."
+Here are some common examples of distancing language used by guilty suspects in police interviews:
+  * **Passive voice constructions**: Suspects may use passive voice constructions, such as "the door was opened" instead of "I opened the door", to distance themselves from the action and make it less clear who is responsible.
+  * **Use of third-party references**: Suspects may use third-party references, such as "someone else must have done it" or "they made me do it," to shift the blame to someone else.
+  * **Minimisation of involvement**: Suspects may try to minimise their involvement in the crime by using phrases such as "I was just along for the ride" or "I didn't have anything to do with the planning."
+  * **Use of vague language**: Suspects may use vague language, such as "it happened" or "things got out of hand," to avoid admitting to specific actions or details.
+  * **Denial of knowledge**: Suspects may deny knowledge of specific details related to the crime, such as "I don't remember" or "I don't know anything about it."
+It's important to note that using distancing language does not necessarily indicate guilt, and can be a natural response when a person feels threatened or under pressure. However, it can also be an indication that the suspect is trying to avoid responsibility or conceal the truth. Police officers are trained to recognise and interpret these types of responses as part of their investigation.
+<WRAP CENTER 50%>
+{{youtube>H0-WkpmTPrM?full}}
+</WRAP>
+===== Distancing Language as "Professionalism" =====
+While the use of distancing language can help therapists maintain a professional demeanour, it can also have negative effects on the therapeutic relationship and the overall effectiveness of treatment.
+Studies have shown that the use of distancing language by therapists can lead to decreased levels of rapport, engagement, and trust with their patients. When therapists use distancing language, patients may perceive them as unemotional, uncaring, or even hostile, which can negatively impact the therapeutic relationship. This, in turn, can make it more difficult for patients to open up and disclose personal information, which is crucial for the success of therapy.
+In contrast, when therapists use language that is warm, empathetic, and emotionally attuned to their patients, it can create a sense of safety and connection. This can increase patient engagement, motivation to participate in therapy, and ultimately, treatment outcomes.
+It's important for therapists to be mindful of the language they use and to strike a balance between maintaining professionalism and creating a therapeutic relationship that is supportive, empathetic, and respectful of the patient's experiences. This can help ensure the best possible outcomes for patients and the effectiveness of treatment.
+===== On Becoming a Non-Person =====
+R. D. Laing was a Scottish psychiatrist and social critic who was instrumental in the 1960s and 1970s anti-psychiatry movement. One of his central ideas was the concept of the "non-person."
+[[the_philosophy_of_r._d._laing|Laing]] believed that traditional psychiatric practices frequently labelled people with mental health conditions as "non-persons" or "pathological" and reduced them to their symptoms or diagnoses, as opposed to recognising them as complex, multidimensional humans with unique experiences and perspectives. He asserted that this dehumanising treatment exacerbated their struggles and perpetuated their mental distress.
+[[the_philosophy_of_r._d._laing|R. D. Laing]] argued that the experience of being a "non-person" was fundamental to a variety of mental disorders, including schizophrenia. He argued that the emotional and interpersonal isolation that came with being labelled a "non-person" was a significant contributor to the experiences of mental distress and that it was possible to promote healing and recovery by addressing this dehumanisation.
+Laing's concept of the "non-person" remains a significant and relevant critique of traditional psychiatric practices and has influenced the evolution of more person-centred approaches to mental health care, including psychotherapy. These approaches emphasise the significance of establishing a therapeutic relationship that respects the individual's experiences and perspectives and seeks to promote understanding and healing, as opposed to reducing the individual to a diagnosis or set of symptoms.
+===== References =====
 Biber, D., Johansson, S., Leech, G., Conrad, S., & Finegan, E. (1999). Longman grammar of spoken and written English. Harlow: Longman.
 Fairclough, N. (2001). Language and power (2nd ed.). Harlow, England: Longman.
 Swales, J. M., & Feak, C. B. (2004). Academic writing for graduate students: Essential tasks and skills (2nd ed.). Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press.
+Burgoon, J., Mayew, W. J., Giboney, J. S., Elkins, A. C., Moffitt, K., Dorn, B., … & Spitzley, L. (2015). Which spoken language markers identify deception in high-stakes settings? Evidence from earnings conference calls. Journal of Language and Social Psychology. [[https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0261927X15586792|doi: 10.1177/0261927X15586792]]
+Vrij, A., Granhag, P. A., & Porter, S. (2010). Pitfalls and opportunities in nonverbal and verbal lie detection. Psychological Science in the Public Interest, 11(3), 89-121. [[https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26168416/|doi: 10.1177/1529100610390861]]
+Erik C. Nook, Thomas D. Hull, Matthew K. Nock, and Leah H. Somerville (2022). Linguistic measures of psychological distance track symptom levels and treatment outcomes in a large set of psychotherapy transcripts [[https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2114737119]]
+Nook, E. C., Schleider, J. L., & Somerville, L. H. (2017). A linguistic signature of psychological distancing in emotion regulation. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 146(3), 337–346. [[https://doi.org/10.1037/xge0000263]]
+{{tag>IEMT language pronouns}}