Hidden function of expressions - Psychological perspective

manuelsilva
Jan 9
3 min read

There are expressions which, at first glance, seem innocent, but which, most of the time, produce a double effect : superficially, they appear neutral, even encouraging, but implicitly, they reinforce superiority, devalue the other person or protect the ego of the one who utters them .

To better understand the message or purpose, I share some of the most frequent expressions , organized according to their hidden psychological function :

1. Expressions that minimize difficulty (and maximize ego)

These sentences imply that the task is trivial; therefore, if the other person cannot do it, the problem lies with them (or resides within them).

"It's easy."
"It's super simple."
"You don't need to know anything."
"Anyone can do it."
"It's basic"
"You can learn that in two minutes."
"Just do it"

🔍 Psychological function

He claims to be competent without demonstrating it.
This creates an implicit hierarchy ("I am above")
This reduces cognitive empathy.
This causes the other person to feel ashamed.

2. Expressions that deny the existence of complexity.

In this case, the person, the boss, the leader, who expresses the opinion or observation, positions himself as someone who "sees the obvious" that others do not see.

"There's no secret."
"All of this makes sense."
"Everything is explained."
"That's obvious."
"It's as clear as water."
"It goes without saying"
"It's common sense."

🔍 Psychological function

Narcissistic defense ("if it's easy for me, I'm competent")
Lack of knowledge and/or inability to perceive the other person's difficulties.
Cancellation of well-founded doubts

3. Expressions that shift the responsibility for the misunderstanding

Attention shifts from explanations to the alleged limitations of the other person.

"I don't understand how you can't understand."
"I've already explained it a thousand times."
"I don't understand how you can still have doubts."
"It's right in front of you."
"Read carefully"
"It's not difficult to understand."

🔍 Psychological function

Protect the sender's ego (does not tolerate a bad explanation)
Reversal of responsibility
Passive-aggressive communication
micro-social humiliation

4. Expressions that conceal intellectual contempt

They are usually spoken in a calm tone, but are imbued with judgment.

"Without meaning to offend anyone, but..."
"I don't mean to sound arrogant, but..."
"With all due respect..."
"I'm not saying you don't know, but..."
"We need to think about it a little."

🔍 Psychological function

Moral license to devalue
Superiority disguised as courtesy.
Symbolic domination strategy

5. Implicit expressions of comparison

They place the other below a "normal" or "minimum" standard.

"Even a child understands."
"Every beginner knows this."
"And that's been the case since day one."
"At your level, you should already know that."
"This is basic knowledge."

🔍 Psychological function

Social pressure
Shameful generation
Strengthening of status and hierarchy

6. Expressions that end a conversation

They serve to avoid going into details or explaining.

"That's how it is."
"It's always been like that."
"There's no point in complicating things."
"Don't think about it too much."
"The process continues."
"Trust"

🔍 Psychological function

Avoid the questions
Maintain control
Reduction of the other person's cognitive autonomy

7. Common psychological pattern underlying all

These expressions generally indicate one or more of the following characteristics:

Insecurity disguised as confidence
The curse of knowledge bias (those who know something forget what it is like not to know)
Status Need
low cognitive empathy
Defensive communication
functional micro-narcissism