Noun: intellectualization ,in-tu,lek-ch(oo-)u-lu'zey-shun [N. Amer], ,in-tu,lek-ch(oo-)u-lI'zey-shun [Brit]
- (psychiatry) a defence mechanism that uses reasoning to block out emotional stress and conflict
"His intellectualization of the traumatic event prevented him from processing his emotions";
- intellectualisation [Brit]
Derived forms: intellectualizations
Type of: defence [Brit, Cdn], defence mechanism [Brit, Cdn], defence reaction [Brit, Cdn], defense [US], defense mechanism [US], defense reaction [US]
Encyclopedia: Intellectualization