overmodulation
OH-ver-mod-juh-LAY-shun
Definition
A psychological defense mechanism where an individual suppresses or dampens their emotions, reactions, or connections to others as a way to cope with overwhelming trauma or distress.
Etymology
Derived from the prefix 'over-' meaning excessive and 'modulation' from the Latin 'modulatio,' meaning a measuring or rhythm, originally used in physics to describe adjusting a wave and later adapted to psychology to describe the regulation of emotional states.
In the news
The article uses the term to describe how traumatized youth detach emotionally and hide their internal pain to protect themselves. This state of 'overmodulation' makes it easier for them to later dehumanize and harm others.
High levels of adverse early experiences are found among extremists.
Read the full article ↗Psychology Today