<blockquote>
  <p>The mind creates all kind of protections to help them cope. </p>
</blockquote>

<p>I would say that is a very simplified, narrative-oriented perception of certain extreme responses to trauma. From a cursory googling, I see the movie in question is refering to traumatic exposure to violence in childhood. Yes, in situations such as these, some children develop psychological defense mechanisms, which may confer a distorted view of reality. </p>

<p><strong>Defense mechanisms</strong> don't really function in the extreme way generally shown in narrative, though. There are many documented defense mechanisms, all of them have their own unique characteristics, and all of them can vary in intensity. It's also vital to remember that not everyone who survives a traumatic event, no matter how violent, will develop post-traumatic symptoms. </p>

<blockquote>
  <p>[T]he mind takes random information and forces it to support that narrative. </p>
</blockquote>

<p>This is less post-trauma, and more the purview of cognitive psychology. <strong>Cognitive distortions</strong> exist and are quite common. How common is a matter of some controversy. This particular statement describes a kind of <strong>confirmation bias</strong>, which manifests as overconfidence in one's own views. It is not particularly related to trauma, as far as I know. </p>

<p>Overall, I would say that the kind of extreme reinterpretation of facts that is suggested by the quote you posted, is not a common thing. Reactions of a similar tenor may be usual, but as always, <strong>reality is more ambiguous than fiction</strong>. I would not call this statement fact so much as a directed or tendentious interpretation of facts. </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-08-22T02:05:47.923Z
I see. But possible, would you recommend me a book that I can read to learn more about this kind of stuff.
rpm07
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-08-22T12:18:20.817Z
Defense mechanisms are characteristic of psychodynamic therapy, which is "classic" talk therapy that most are familiar with in concept. Psych central has a pretty good introductory article about those here: http://psychcentral.com/lib/15-common-defense-mechanisms/0001251 Cognitive distortions represent a large and complex subject, but I was partly introduced to them by the book *Predictably Irrational* by Dan Ariely. More professional members of cogsci.SE might have more specific book recommendations.
lea
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-08-21T09:54:40.720Z
2014-08-21T09:54:40.720Z
lea
<p>I just want to verify this statement if this is a fact. </p>

<blockquote>
  <p>"When people can't process something horrible. The mind creates all kinds of protections to help them cope. Once that belief's taken root, the mind takes random information and forces it to support that narrative." — Oculus</p>
</blockquote>

<cognitive-psychology>
Verifying this statement in a movie named Oculus
rpm07
# Verifying this statement in a movie named Oculus

(Asked by: username_0 on 2014-08-21)

I just want to verify this statement if this is a fact.

> "When people can't process something horrible. The mind creates all kinds of protections to help them cope. Once that belief's taken root, the mind takes random information and forces it to support that narrative." — Oculus

**Tags:** cognitive-psychology


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2014-08-21. Score: 2 | Accepted answer

> The mind creates all kind of protections to help them cope.

I would say that is a very simplified, narrative-oriented perception of certain extreme responses to trauma. From a cursory googling, I see the movie in question is refering to traumatic exposure to violence in childhood. Yes, in situations such as these, some children develop psychological defense mechanisms, which may confer a distorted view of reality.

**Defense mechanisms** don't really function in the extreme way generally shown in narrative, though. There are many documented defense mechanisms, all of them have their own unique characteristics, and all of them can vary in intensity. It's also vital to remember that not everyone who survives a traumatic event, no matter how violent, will develop post-traumatic symptoms.

> [T]he mind takes random information and forces it to support that narrative.

This is less post-trauma, and more the purview of cognitive psychology. **Cognitive distortions** exist and are quite common. How common is a matter of some controversy. This particular statement describes a kind of **confirmation bias**, which manifests as overconfidence in one's own views. It is not particularly related to trauma, as far as I know.

Overall, I would say that the kind of extreme reinterpretation of facts that is suggested by the quote you posted, is not a common thing. Reactions of a similar tenor may be usual, but as always, **reality is more ambiguous than fiction**. I would not call this statement fact so much as a directed or tendentious interpretation of facts.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: I see. But possible, would you recommend me a book that I can read to username_1rn more about this kind of stuff.  
> **username_1**: Defense mechanisms are characteristic of psychodynamic therapy, which is "classic" talk therapy that most are familiar with in concept. Psych central has a pretty good introductory article about those here: http://psychcentral.com/lib/15-common-defense-mechanisms/0001251 Cognitive distortions represent a large and complex subject, but I was partly introduced to them by the book *Predictably Irrational* by Dan Ariely. More professional members of cogsci.SE might have more specific book recommendations.  

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