<p>I'm reading <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sublimation_(psychology)" rel="nofollow">the wikipedia article on sublimation</a>. The article says:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>In psychology, sublimation is a mature type of defense mechanism where socially unacceptable impulses or idealizations are consciously transformed into socially acceptable actions or behavior, possibly resulting in a long-term conversion of the initial impulse.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>But it's not clear to me how these impulses are transformed. Are these impulses transformed inside the mind of the one who do them or are they transformed in a social level (via persuasion)?</p>

<p>Rephrasing the question: Does him argue with himself and make himself believe that the unacceptable behavior is actually a good thing or succeeds to persuade others to believe that behavior is a good thing?</p>

<cognitive-psychology><social-psychology>
Clarification on the definition of sublimation?
Red Banana
# Clarification on the definition of sublimation?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2014-10-22)

I'm reading [the wikipedia article on sublimation](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sublimation_(psychology)). The article says:

> In psychology, sublimation is a mature type of defense mechanism where socially unacceptable impulses or idealizations are consciously transformed into socially acceptable actions or behavior, possibly resulting in a long-term conversion of the initial impulse.

But it's not clear to me how these impulses are transformed. Are these impulses transformed inside the mind of the one who do them or are they transformed in a social level (via persuasion)?

Rephrasing the question: Does him argue with himself and make himself believe that the unacceptable behavior is actually a good thing or succeeds to persuade others to believe that behavior is a good thing?

**Tags:** cognitive-psychology, social-psychology


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