Tag: Psychology

“Even the Best Actor Eventually Forgets Their Lines. The Truth Never Does.”

Pinocchio with a long nose sitting on a log near a castle at sunset

People who habitually deceive often rely on one thing above all else: A carefully constructed story. At first, that story may appear convincing. Details are rehearsed, explanations are polished, and confidence can make even unlikely claims sound believable. But neuroscience and psychology suggest there is a fundamental difference between remembering the truth and remembering a fabricated version of… Read More “Even the Best Actor Eventually Forgets Their Lines. The Truth Never Does.”

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General psychological patterns

The mindset can vary from person to person, so it’s not possible to know exactly what any one individual is thinking. However, psychologists often describe certain patterns of thinking that can underlie persistent blame, resentment, and attempts to undermine others. Some common patterns include: “I’m the victim.” They see themselves as the wronged party in almost every conflict,… Read More General psychological patterns

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When Family Becomes Fuel Instead of Support: The Psychology of Destructive Interference

When relationships are struggling, many people naturally turn to family or close friends for advice. Support from loved ones can be invaluable. It can provide perspective, comfort, and practical help during difficult times. But not all advice is wise. Sometimes, the loudest voices don’t calm the storm—they become part of it. Instead of encouraging communication,… Read More When Family Becomes Fuel Instead of Support: The Psychology of Destructive Interference

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Financial wealth and emotional wealth are not the same thing

Someone may spend years criticizing other people for being obsessed with money or status, only to become preoccupied with those very things themselves. Psychologists sometimes refer to this as a form of psychological projection or defensive self-enhancement—criticizing in others what one is uncomfortable acknowledging in oneself. However, it’s important not to assume this explanation applies to any specific… Read More Financial wealth and emotional wealth are not the same thing

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Power, control, security, identity, or status.

When money becomes more important than a relationship or family, psychology and neuroscience suggest that the money itself is rarely the true priority. More often, money represents something much deeper: power, control, security, identity, or status. The Psychology Behind It In healthy relationships, money is viewed as a shared resource that supports the family. In abusive or… Read More Power, control, security, identity, or status.

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The Psychology of the Illusion of Control

By Linda C J Turner, Therapist & Advocate — Linda C J Turner Trauma Therapist | Neuroscience & Emotional Intelligence Practitioner | Advocate for Women’s Empowerment ©Linda C J Turner

From a psychological and neuroscientific perspective, this can happen. Some abusive individuals will make decisions that appear irrational—sacrificing relationships, finances, reputation, or even their own future—because the immediate need to dominate or avoid feeling powerless overrides long-term self-interest. The key point is that control is not the same as power. The Psychology of the Illusion of… Read More The Psychology of the Illusion of Control

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“I Wish I’d Gone After My Ex’s Pension”: What Comments Like This May Reveal

Sometimes a single remark tells us less about a person’s personality than it does about their values. A comment such as, “I wish I’d gone after my ex-wife’s pension. A teacher’s pension would have been much larger than mine. Maybe it’s not too late,” does not, on its own, prove someone is abusive or indicate a particular… Read More “I Wish I’d Gone After My Ex’s Pension”: What Comments Like This May Reveal

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The Sunk Cost Fallacy: “I’ve Already Invested Too Much”

One of the most powerful psychological barriers to leaving an unhealthy relationship is something economists call the sunk cost fallacy. A sunk cost is anything that has already been invested and cannot be recovered. This may include money, time, emotional energy, years of commitment, shared experiences, a home, a marriage, children, friendships, or dreams for the future. From… Read More The Sunk Cost Fallacy: “I’ve Already Invested Too Much”

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Why People Stay in Harmful Relationships: Understanding Trauma Bonding, Intermittent Reinforcement, Confirmation Bias, the Sunk Cost Fallacy and Cognitive Dissonance

One of the most common questions people ask after leaving a harmful relationship is: “Why didn’t I leave sooner?” Friends and family often ask a similar question: “Why couldn’t they see what everyone else could see?” These questions have been studied for decades by psychologists and neuroscientists. The answer is rarely about weakness, lack of… Read More Why People Stay in Harmful Relationships: Understanding Trauma Bonding, Intermittent Reinforcement, Confirmation Bias, the Sunk Cost Fallacy and Cognitive Dissonance

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Cognitive Dissonance: Why the Mind Sometimes Protects Us from Painful Truths

© 2025 Linda Carol Turner. Content protected by copyright.
Reproduction or redistribution in any form requires prior written permission from the author.
When quoting or referencing, please cite: Linda Carol, Psychology & Neuroscience Insights.

In 1957, psychologist Leon Festinger introduced the theory of cognitive dissonance, proposing that people experience psychological discomfort when they simultaneously hold two or more beliefs, values, or perceptions that contradict one another. The human brain strives for consistency. When our beliefs and our experiences do not match, the resulting tension can feel deeply uncomfortable. Rather than immediately changing… Read More Cognitive Dissonance: Why the Mind Sometimes Protects Us from Painful Truths

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