homeWelcome, sign in or click here to subscribe.login
     


 

 

Architecture & Engineering


Clive Shearer
Management
by Design
By Clive Shearer
Subscriber content preview

December 13, 2006

Management By Design: Trouble at the office: What would Freud say?

By CLIVE SHEARER
Special to the Journal

Defense mechanisms were identified by Sigmund Freud in the early 1900s. Despite controversy about some of his theories, Freud's defense mechanisms are widely accepted. How do his ideas apply to the everyday office?

Rationalization. Rationalization can occur when we don't get our way or when we encounter unpleasant events. Instead of admitting to reality, we construct an explanation for the event. While rationalization can be used to convince ourselves, it is more commonly used to rationalize events to others.


 
. . .


To read this story in full login or purchase a subscription.



Previous columns:



Email or user name:
Password:
 
Forgot password? Click here.