[1][2] Minimisation, or downplaying the significance of an event or emotion, is a common strategy in dealing with feelings of guilt.
[7] A variation on minimisation as a manipulative technique is "claiming altruistic motives" such as saying "I don't do this because I am selfish, and for gain, but because I am a socially aware person interested in the common good".
[8] School bullying is one form of victimisation or physical abuse which has sometimes been unofficially encouraged, ritualised or even minimised as a sort of prank by teachers or peers.
[14] On the other hand, one technique used by Alfred Adler to combat neurosis was to minimise the excessive significance the neurotic attaches to his own symptoms[15]—the narcissistic gains derived from pride in one's own illness.
[17] Social interchanges involving minor infringements often end with the 'victim' minimising the offence with a comment like 'Think nothing of it',[18] using so-called 'reduction words',[19] such as 'no big deal,' 'only a little,' 'merely,' or 'just', the latter particularly useful in denying intent.