‘Therapy’ at Psychology, Philosophy and Real Life, Page 4

It seems to me that some things can only come to older people. I can only know some things having tried them out — my dietary preferences, or how I prefer to conduct a friendship, for instance.

When we can do pretty much whatever we want, and have a variety of ways to do it, the question becomes what we want to do. The focus shifts to values.

Leveling is a slick tool which manipulators use to try and “level the playing field” or field of interpersonal contest.

This “okay, okay!” tactic is the disturbed character’s attempt to get you off their back by insinuating that they understand what you are asking and are willing to accede to it while they actually have no intention of changing their stance.

“Tuning-out” someone who’s trying to make a point, teach a lesson, or call attention to a problem is a principal way that the disordered character resists internalizing the values, standards, and controls society wants him to adopt.