Myths
Myths are mental patterns that arise first in the mind, then find or create justification in the environment, gaining pseudo-reality as they shape perception and generate new concepts through language.
THE IDEA
Myths
Myths are patterns which first arise in the mind. Once these patterns have formed something may be found in the environment which justifies them or else they dictate the way the environment is looked at and so achieve a pseudo-justification. Once one has names then one can do things to the names themselves and so produce more names. Thus if one has a word one can produce a word with an opposite meaning merely by adding ‘un’. One can then look around to see what this new word fits or use it anyway whether it represents anything or not. Similarly once one has two words one can put them together to give a third word which is a combination of the other two. The accompanying illustrations of these processes are not included here. These new units are created on the word level rather than derived from the environment. Yet these myth words are treated in exactly the same way as ordinary words which do refer to actual things in the environment. Instead of the myth word following something in the environment the myth word comes first and actually ‘produces’ something in the environment (by dictating the way one looks at something). Both sorts of words have the same degree of permanence and reality. Both are treated in exactly the same way.
When to use it
In marketing, creating brand names that evoke positive myths, influencing consumer perception.
In political discourse, using terms like 'freedom' or 'security' to frame narratives and shape public opinion.
In personal development, examining how concepts like 'self-esteem' or 'confidence' become myths that guide behavior.
In scientific research, recognizing when socially constructed categories (e.g., 'race') are treated as biological realities, affecting study design and interpretation.
FROM THEORY TO EVERYDAY LIFE
In practice
The Myth of 'Success'
A person internalizes the word 'success' as a tangible goal, then begins to interpret their experiences through that lens, seeking evidence of success or failure in everyday events, even when the concept is abstract and culturally constructed.
Stereotype Confirmation
A stereotype about a social group (a myth pattern) forms in the mind. Once held, the individual unconsciously notices only behaviors that confirm the stereotype, ignoring contradictory evidence, thus reinforcing the myth.
A MOMENT TO REFLECT
Put it to work.
Can you identify a 'myth word' in your own life—a label that shapes how you see a situation?
How might myths, as defined here, influence decision-making in a team or organization?
What steps can you take to detect when a mental pattern is creating a pseudo-justification rather than reflecting reality?
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION
Source texts
- Lateral Thinking A Textbook of Creativity (Edward de Bono)