Antiprocess is the preemptive recognition and marginalization of undesired information by the interplay of mental
defense mechanisms: the
subconscious compromises information that would cause
cognitive dissonance. It is often used to describe a difficulty encountered when people with sharply contrasting viewpoints are attempting (and failing) to discuss a topic.
In other words, when one is
debating with another, there may be a baffling disconnect despite one's apparent understanding of the argument. Despite the apparently sufficient understanding to formulate counter-arguments, the mind of the debater does not allow him to be swayed by that knowledge.
There are many instances on the
Internet
The Internet (or internet) is the global system of interconnected computer networks that uses the Internet protocol suite (TCP/IP) to communicate between networks and devices. It is a '' network of networks'' that consists of private, pub ...
where antiprocess can be observed, but the prime location to see it is in
Usenet
Usenet () is a worldwide distributed discussion system available on computers. It was developed from the general-purpose Unix-to-Unix Copy (UUCP) dial-up network architecture. Tom Truscott and Jim Ellis conceived the idea in 1979, and it was ...
discussion groups, where discussions tend to be highly polarized. In such debates, both sides appear to have a highly sophisticated understanding of the other position, yet neither side is swayed. As a result, the debate can continue for years without any progress being made.
Dynamics
Antiprocess occurs because:
# The mind is capable of
multitasking;
# The mind has the innate capability to evaluate and select information at a preconscious level so that we are not overwhelmed with the processing requirements;
# It is not feasible to maintain two contradictory beliefs at the same time;
# It is not possible for people to be aware of every factor leading up to decisions they make;
# People learn argumentatively effective but logically invalid defensive strategies (such as
rhetorical fallacies);
# People tend to favour strategies of thinking that have served them well in the past; and
# The truth is just too unpalatable to the mind to accept.
The ramifications of these factors are that people can be engaged in a debate sincerely, yet the appearances suggest that they are not. This can lead to acrimony if neither party is aware of antiprocess and does not adjust his or her debating style accordingly.
See also
*
Defence mechanisms
In psychoanalytic theory, a defence mechanism (American English: defense mechanism), is an unconscious psychological operation that functions to protect a person from anxiety-producing thoughts and feelings related to internal conflicts and ou ...
, psychological
References
{{Reflist
External links
Introduction to Antiprocess
Cognitive dissonance
Defence mechanisms