14. Emotional Numbing
Emotional numbing is a psychological defense that shuts down feelings of empathy and compassion. This self-protective response can enable people to inflict harm without experiencing guilt or remorse. Over time, continual exposure to suffering or cruelty can make detachment habitual. As described by Psychology Today, when empathy is turned off, moral boundaries fade—making it easier for otherwise ordinary individuals to participate in or ignore acts of cruelty.