Spot on. People identify with an idea of who they are subconsciously.
Anytime somebody attacks that idea they perceive it like a physical attack on themselves.
That's what causes them to lash out irrationally or run away in various other ways, it triggers their fight or flight instinct.
This is why you can't bring up anything directly, because the second you challenge their subconsciously perceived self you become a mortal threat.
There are ways around this issue, but I haven't found anything that doesn't require ridiculous amounts of patience.
If anybody knows how to get through to them efficiently I would love to hear some input.
Spot on. People identify with an idea of who they are subconsciously.
Anytime somebody attacks that idea they perceive it like a physical attack on themselves. That's what causes them to lash out irrationally or run away in various other ways, it triggers their fight or flight instinct.
This is why you can't bring up anything directly, because the second you challenge their subconsciously perceived self you become a mortal threat.
There are ways around this issue, but I haven't found anything that doesn't require ridiculous amounts of patience.
If anybody knows how to get through to them efficiently I would love to hear some input.
I think the word you’re looking for is confirmation bias