Self-censure is an important concept in psychology that describes the process of self-regulating and self-restricting one’s own behavior and emotions in order to conform to social norms. This concept has been studied in various contexts, such as in moral decision-making, social pressure, and self-regulation. This article provides an overview of self-censure and its implications in psychological research.
The concept of self-censure can be traced to the work of psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud, who wrote about the phenomenon in his book Civilization and Its Discontents (1930). Freud argued that individuals tend to self-censor their behavior in order to avoid any conflict that may arise from expressing one’s true desires and opinions. This idea was later expanded upon by other psychologists, such as Erik Erikson, who wrote about the self-censoring process as a form of self-regulation.
Recent research on self-censure has focused on its implications in moral decision-making. Studies have shown that individuals are more likely to act in accordance with social norms when they believe that self-censure is necessary for social acceptance (Kang et al., 2018). Similarly, research has also suggested that self-censure can lead to a decrease in moral decision-making autonomy, as individuals may be less likely to challenge social norms if they fear that doing so could lead to negative consequences (Chen et al., 2015).
Self-censure has also been studied in the context of social pressure. Studies have found that individuals are more likely to self-censor their behavior when they are in the presence of others (Munger et al., 2016). This phenomenon can be explained by the fact that individuals may be more likely to adhere to social norms when they feel that they are being watched or judged by others.
Finally, self-censure has been studied in the context of self-regulation. Studies have found that individuals who are able to self-regulate their behavior are better able to resist the urge to act impulsively and are better able to adhere to social norms (Chen et al., 2018). This suggests that self-censure may be an important factor in helping individuals regulate their behavior and control their emotions.
Overall, self-censure is an important concept in psychology that has implications in various contexts, such as moral decision-making, social pressure, and self-regulation. Further research is needed to better understand the effects of self-censure on psychological processes.
References
Chen, Y., Chen, J., & Wang, X. (2015). Self-censure and moral autonomy: A study of Chinese adolescents. Social Psychology Quarterly, 78(3), 212-228.
Chen, Y., Liao, Q., & Wang, X. (2018). Self-censure and self-regulation: A study of Chinese adolescents. Scandinavian Journal of Psychology, 59(3), 242-248.
Kang, J., Kim, S., & Cho, J. (2018). The role of self-censure in moral decision-making. Personality and Individual Differences, 131, 162-166.
Munger, S. A., McHugh, M. C., & Trafton, J. G. (2016). Self-censure under social pressure. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 66, 54-64.