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acting out
Definition:
Acting out refers to the expression of unconscious feelings or conflicts through impulsive actions rather than verbalisation or conscious reflection. This behaviour often bypasses conscious awareness, serving as a way to externalise internal struggles. Jungian analysts view acting out as an opportunity to uncover hidden emotional conflicts, as the behaviour often symbolises unresolved issues from the past.
Example:
By analysing instances of acting out, therapists can help clients identify the underlying emotions and unconscious material driving their actions. For example, an individual sabotaging a relationship might unconsciously be reacting to unresolved fears of abandonment or intimacy.
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