Self-deception in neurological syndromes

One of the traditional views of self deception has been in terms of a dynam ically-driven defense mechanism which is employed in order to enhance self- esteem by denying contradictory evidence. Denial is evident during stressfu l events in everyday life, as well as in cases of mental and somatic impair ments. A detailed analysis of a specific neurological syndrome, prosopagnos ia, where covert recognition of familiar faces may coexist with lack of ove rt recognition, demonstrates the inapplicability of the dynamic interpretat ion of self-deception in terms of denial to some neurological syndromes, an d the usefulness of a new conceptualization of this process in terms of dis sociation between modular and central processes. it is proposed that self-d eception be considered a complex process which may be conceived of as a def ense mechanism in everyday life, and as a product of functional dissociatio n in neurological syndromes.