Blind to Betrayal: Why We Fool Ourselves We Aren't Being Fooled - Paperback

by Jennifer Freyd (Author), Pamela Birrell (Author)

One of the world's top experts on betrayal looks at why we often can't see it right in front of our faces

If the cover-up is worse than the crime, blindness to betrayal can be worse than the betrayal itself. Whether the betrayer is an unfaithful spouse, an abusive authority figure, an unfair boss, or a corrupt institution, we often refuse to see the truth order to protect ourselves. This book explores the fascinating phenomenon of how and why we ignore or deny betrayal, and what we can gain by transforming ""betrayal blindness"" into insight.

• Explains the psychological phenomenon of ""betrayal blindness"", in which we implicitly choose unawareness in order to avoid the risk of seeing treachery or injustice
• Based on the authors' substantial original research and clinical experience carried out over the last decade as well as their own story of confronting betrayal
• Filled with fascinating case studies involving unfaithful spouses, abusive authority figures and corrupt institutions, to name a few

In a remarkable collaboration of science and clinical perspectives, Jennifer Freyd, one of the world's top experts on betrayal and child abuse, teams up with Pamela Birrell, a psychotherapist and educator with 25 years of experience.

Back Jacket

A penetrating look at a topic that is both fascinating and challenging, from two of the world's top experts on betrayal and abuse

Infidelity, abuse, treachery, workplace exploitation, discrimination, and injustice: all are examples of betrayal. Betrayal can be mundane or a central threat to our wellbeing. When we see it, we hate it. Yet, even though it is often in our very midst and of critical importance, we frequently don't acknowledge or even notice it. Whether the betrayal occurs in our closest relationships, in our workplaces, or in our society, often we are powerfully and surprisingly motivated to remain ignorant. Written by one of the world's top experts on betrayal and child abuse along with a psychotherapist and educator with twenty-five years of experience, "Blind to Betrayal" explains the many different forms of betrayal, finally revealing why its victims can endure mistreatment, sometimes for years, without seeming to know that it is happening, even when it may be obvious to others around them.

This powerful and life-changing book: Examines the fundamental experience of betrayal and its incredibly destructive effects on both individuals and societyExplains the psychological phenomenon of "betrayal blindness"Offers important insights on how to see through betrayal blindness, confront betrayal, and overcome its effectsReveals findings from the authors' substantial original research carried out over the last decade, as well as their own stories of confronting betrayal

Betrayal is a source of much suffering. We have a choice--to remain blind or to begin to heal ourselves and the world. Read "Blind to Betrayal" and start learning how to understand betrayal, confront it, and create a better future.

Author Biography

JENNIFER FREYD, PhD, is one of the world's leading experts on betrayal and childhood abuse, and she has conducted substantial original research on the topic over the last decade. A tenured professor at the University of Oregon, Dr. Freyd wrote a classic professional book on betrayal, "Betrayal Trauma."

PAMELA BIRRELL, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist and senior instructor in the Psychology Department at the University of Oregon. She received her PhD in psychology from the University of Oregon in 1973.