08-24-2012, 12:56 PM
Jimbone, it's my take on it in a nutshell, the whole picture is more complicated than that. And the truth - ah, truth is a difficult concept when dealing with behaviour 
Oh, and actually, it's a more common (subconscious!) behavior than you'd probably think. Ever encountered someone who tells you a problem, and when you offer advice, always finds a reason that'll keep them from taking it? You'll eventually run out of advice, and they'll get what they wanted in the first place: the reassurance that their situation cannot be improved and that they are justified in remaining in it.
Oh, and actually, it's a more common (subconscious!) behavior than you'd probably think. Ever encountered someone who tells you a problem, and when you offer advice, always finds a reason that'll keep them from taking it? You'll eventually run out of advice, and they'll get what they wanted in the first place: the reassurance that their situation cannot be improved and that they are justified in remaining in it.