Pretending
What is Pretending?
Showing a face that doesn't match the inner state — managing others' perceptions to maintain a sense of safety.
When you might feel pretending
Pretending is a specific form of performing, which itself is a type of masked. You might experience this feeling in situations where masked is present, particularly when the circumstances align with the nuances that define pretending.
Emotional Hierarchy
Explore Pretending on the Interactive Wheel
Use our free interactive feeling wheel to explore pretending and discover related emotions.
Open Nervous System States WheelRelated Emotions
Deferring to others' wishes to avoid conflict — the fawn response says 'your com...
Giving way reflexively — not from generosity but from a deep-seated belief that ...
Smiling, agreeing, laughing — but from the outside in. A protective performance ...
The experience of having something important to say and choosing — or being forc...
Keeping your real feelings, needs, and reactions out of view to avoid the percei...
Shaping yourself around others' needs as a survival strategy — the nervous syste...