A Thought-Terminating Cliché is a phrase or idea that is used to shut down critical thinking and discussion. It is a tactic often used in propaganda, advertising, and political discourse to manipulate and control people's thoughts and behaviors. These clichés are often repeated over and over again until they become accepted as truth, even if they are not based on facts or evidence. One of the main characteristics of a Thought-Terminating Cliché is that it is emotionally charged and appeals to people's fears, prejudices, or desires. It is designed to trigger an immediate emotional response that overrides rational thinking and critical analysis. For example, the phrase fake news has become a Thought-Terminating Cliché that is used to dismiss any information that contradicts one's beliefs or biases. Another important aspect of a Thought-Terminating Cliché is that it is often used to silence dissent and stifle debate. It is a way of labeling people who disagree with a particular viewpoint as ignorant, unpatriotic, or immoral. This creates a climate of fear and intimidation that discourages people from expressing their opinions or challenging the status quo. In conclusion, a Thought-Terminating Cliché is a powerful tool of persuasion and manipulation that is used to control people's thoughts and behaviors. It is emotionally charged, appeals to people's fears and prejudices, and is often used to silence dissent and stifle debate. To avoid falling prey to these clichés, it is important to cultivate critical thinking skills and to question everything, even if it seems to be widely accepted as truth.
Propaganda, Advertising, Political Discourse, Emotional Response, Rational Thinking, Critical Analysis, Dissent, Debate, Persuasion, Manipulation, Critical Thinking Skills
CITATION : "Mark Hall. 'Thought-Terminating Cliché.' Design+Encyclopedia. https://design-encyclopedia.com/?E=361488 (Accessed on July 16, 2025)"
Thought-Terminating Cliché is a phrase or an idea that stops someone from thinking any further. It's like a shortcut that people use to quickly answer a question without really understanding it. For example, if you ask an 8 year old why they got a bad grade on a test, they might say it's because they are bad at tests. This is a thought-terminating cliché because it doesn't really explain why they got a bad grade, it just stops them from thinking any further.
Thought-Terminating Cliché, Cognitive Biases, Logical Fallacies, Cliche Thinking
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