The Trobriand people have a term called mokita, representing truths widely acknowledged but never voiced. This phenomenon highlights humanity's tendency to suppress uncomfortable realities to preserve social harmony and protect relationships. In Western culture, this aligns with the idea of polite fictions, which facilitate smoother social interactions. Daily instances of mokitas illustrate how individuals avoid addressing concerning behaviors in friends or family. While this can provide temporary peace, ongoing suppression may damage trust and authenticity. Additionally, people often engage in self-deception, selectively choosing comforting beliefs over harsher truths, which may serve as emotional self-preservation.
The Trobriand people of Papua New Guinea use the word mokita to describe a truth everyone knows but no one speaks aloud, reflecting a tendency to avoid discomfort.
Research in social psychology suggests we often suppress difficult conversations in favor of maintaining relational harmony, which may erode trust and authenticity over time.
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