Close Topic Options

Negative Experiences: You vs I

People often use the word 'you' rather than 'I' to cope with negative experiences

Researchers say it may seem contradictory that a means of generalizing to people at large is used when reflecting on one's most personal and idiosyncratic experiences. Ref. Source 4q.

I You Experiences Negative

I can see people doing this to help take the focus on themselves and try to place it on others or someone else as a way to cope with any negativity they may be experiencing.

Negative Experiences: You vs I Health & Special Psychology

KN,

I think it's not just to put the focus on someone else. I think it's also that we try to share the experience so that others can see that a similar thing could happen to anyone. I thought about this for a while and I realize I do the same thing on occasion, substituting you for I when explaining a negative. This si something I'll watch from now on.