--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Although we all have various espoused…" description: "\"“Although we all have various espoused theories, when we find ourselves in an embarrassing or psychologically threatening situation, almost all of us a..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f4a/roger-schwarz-103042_behavior_although-we-all-have-various-espoused-th_756148.jpg" --- # Although we all have various espoused theories, when we… ![“Although we all have various espoused theories, when we find ourselves in an embarrassing or psychologically threatening situation, almost all of us activate just one theory-in-use to guide our behavior, one which I am about to describe (Argyris and Schon, 1996).” quote by Roger Schwarz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f4a/roger-schwarz-103042_behavior_although-we-all-have-various-espoused-th_756148.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f4a/roger-schwarz-103042_behavior_although-we-all-have-various-espoused-th_756148.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f4a/roger-schwarz-103042_behavior_although-we-all-have-various-espoused-th_756148.jpg) > ““Although we all have various espoused theories, when we find ourselves in an embarrassing or psychologically threatening situation, almost all of us activate just one theory-in-use to guide our behavior, one which I am about to describe (Argyris and Schon, 1996).”” [Roger Schwarz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-schwarz/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. In stressful moments, people default to a single, often subconscious, theory to guide behavior. **In simple terms:** Stress triggers a default theory of action. Key Takeaway Identify and challenge default assumptions under pressure. Themes Behavior Stress Cognitive shortcuts Theory use Mood analytical thoughtful Type explanatory advice When to use this quote - Crisis management - team dynamics - personal stress Key Concepts Psychology Decision theory Self‑regulation Questions to Reflect On - What hidden theory drives your behavior? - How can you expand your mental toolkit? A Different Perspective Default theories may be inappropriate for novel problems. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Behavior](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/behavior/) [Embarrassing Psychologically](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/embarrassing-psychologically-5873079/) [Espoused Theories](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/espoused-theories-5873081/) [Habits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/habits/) [Theories Embarrassing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theories-embarrassing-5873080/) [Theory Use](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theory-use-2366118/) ## Related quotes > [“You are unaware of your theory-in-use. Part of what makes your theory-in-use so powerful is that it operates quickly, skillfully, and effortlessly.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-schwarz/you-are-unaware-of-your-theory-in-use-part-of-what-makes-your-theory/) [Roger Schwarz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-schwarz/) > [Whether or not you can observe a thing depends upon the theory you use. It is the theory which decides what can be observed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/whether-or-not-you-can-observe-a-thing-depends-upon-the-theory-you/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [The electron is a theory we use; it is so useful in understanding the way nature works that we can almost call it real.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-p-feynman/the-electron-is-a-theory-we-use-it-is-so-useful-in-understanding-the/) [Richard P. Feynman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-p-feynman/) > [One must treat theory-in-use as both a psychological certainty and an intellectual hypothesis.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-argyris/one-must-treat-theory-in-use-as-both-a-psychological-certainty-and-an/) [Chris Argyris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-argyris/) > [The behavior of any bureaucratic organization can best be understood by assuming that it is controlled by a secret cabal of its enemies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-conquest/the-behavior-of-any-bureaucratic-organization-can-best-be-understood/) [Robert Conquest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-conquest/) > [The strongest rebellion may be expressed in quiet, undramatic behavior.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-spock/the-strongest-rebellion-may-be-expressed-in-quiet-undramatic-behavior/) [Benjamin Spock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-spock/) > [I think we've told a lot of lies about human behavior through film.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-arquette/i-think-we-ve-told-a-lot-of-lies-about-human-behavior-through-film/) [Patricia Arquette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-arquette/) > [The tipping point is that magic moment when an idea, trend, or social behavior crosses a threshold, tips, and spreads like wildfire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-gladwell/the-tipping-point-is-that-magic-moment-when-an-idea-trend-or-social/) [Malcolm Gladwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-gladwell/) > [The laws of thermodynamics, as empirically determined, express the approximate and probable behavior of systems of a great number of particles, or, more precisely,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-willard-gibbs/the-laws-of-thermodynamics-as-empirically-determined-express-the/) [J. Willard Gibbs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-willard-gibbs/) > [You don't put milk in chamomile tea - that's disgusting behavior! That's not right.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-fraser/you-don-t-put-milk-in-chamomile-tea-that-s-disgusting-behavior-that-s/) [Laura Fraser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-fraser/) > [To behave creatively in art means behavior with skill; and skill comes from discipline, not derangement. The artist who knows the rules -and proportion…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/burne-hogarth/to-behave-creatively-in-art-means-behavior-with-skill-and-skill-comes/) [Burne Hogarth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/burne-hogarth/) > [The number of poor, and poorly prepared, students who succeed in college and beyond undercuts the simplistic notion that economic or educational disadvantage is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roland-merullo/the-number-of-poor-and-poorly-prepared-students-who-succeed-in/) [Roland Merullo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roland-merullo/) > [As you begin changing your thinking, start immediately to change your behaviour. Begin to act the part of the person you would like to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/as-you-begin-changing-your-thinking-start-immediately-to-change-your/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [By making conscious choices in our behavior and where we focus our attention, we can transform our experience of our body, decrease our biological…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/by-making-conscious-choices-in-our-behavior-and-where-we-focus-our/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [The vision of the left, full of envy and resentment, takes its worst toll on those at the bottom - whether black or white…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/the-vision-of-the-left-full-of-envy-and-resentment-takes-its-worst/) [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) ## More by Roger Schwarz > [“You are unaware of your theory-in-use. Part of what makes your theory-in-use so powerful is that it operates quickly, skillfully, and effortlessly.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-schwarz/you-are-unaware-of-your-theory-in-use-part-of-what-makes-your-theory/) [Roger Schwarz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-schwarz/) [Explore all 2 Roger Schwarz quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-schwarz/) ## More Behavior quotes > [The vision of the left, full of envy and resentment, takes its worst toll on those at the bottom - whether black or white…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/the-vision-of-the-left-full-of-envy-and-resentment-takes-its-worst/) [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) > [By making conscious choices in our behavior and where we focus our attention, we can transform our experience of our body, decrease our biological…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/by-making-conscious-choices-in-our-behavior-and-where-we-focus-our/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [As you begin changing your thinking, start immediately to change your behaviour. Begin to act the part of the person you would like to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/as-you-begin-changing-your-thinking-start-immediately-to-change-your/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“I now know that deep within the human concept is something dark, selfish, and completely willing to do whatever is necessary to support the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-west/i-now-know-that-deep-within-the-human-concept-is-something-dark/) [Melissa West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-west/) > [“We are endowed with genes which code out our reaction to beavers and otters, maybe our reaction to each other as well. We are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-thomas/we-are-endowed-with-genes-which-code-out-our-reaction-to-beavers-and/) [Lewis Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-thomas/) > [The number of poor, and poorly prepared, students who succeed in college and beyond undercuts the simplistic notion that economic or educational disadvantage is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roland-merullo/the-number-of-poor-and-poorly-prepared-students-who-succeed-in/) [Roland Merullo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roland-merullo/) > [To behave creatively in art means behavior with skill; and skill comes from discipline, not derangement. The artist who knows the rules -and proportion…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/burne-hogarth/to-behave-creatively-in-art-means-behavior-with-skill-and-skill-comes/) [Burne Hogarth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/burne-hogarth/) > [You don't put milk in chamomile tea - that's disgusting behavior! That's not right.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-fraser/you-don-t-put-milk-in-chamomile-tea-that-s-disgusting-behavior-that-s/) [Laura Fraser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-fraser/) > [The laws of thermodynamics, as empirically determined, express the approximate and probable behavior of systems of a great number of particles, or, more precisely,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-willard-gibbs/the-laws-of-thermodynamics-as-empirically-determined-express-the/) [J. Willard Gibbs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-willard-gibbs/) > [I started with the belief that every person who came to the laboratory was free to accept or to reject the dictates of authority.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanley-milgram/i-started-with-the-belief-that-every-person-who-came-to-the/) [Stanley Milgram](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanley-milgram/) > [The tipping point is that magic moment when an idea, trend, or social behavior crosses a threshold, tips, and spreads like wildfire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-gladwell/the-tipping-point-is-that-magic-moment-when-an-idea-trend-or-social/) [Malcolm Gladwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-gladwell/) > [I think we've told a lot of lies about human behavior through film.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-arquette/i-think-we-ve-told-a-lot-of-lies-about-human-behavior-through-film/) [Patricia Arquette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-arquette/) > [The strongest rebellion may be expressed in quiet, undramatic behavior.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-spock/the-strongest-rebellion-may-be-expressed-in-quiet-undramatic-behavior/) [Benjamin Spock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-spock/) > [The behavior of any bureaucratic organization can best be understood by assuming that it is controlled by a secret cabal of its enemies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-conquest/the-behavior-of-any-bureaucratic-organization-can-best-be-understood/) [Robert Conquest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-conquest/) > [If you want good behavior, don't pay on a commission basis. Our judges aren't paid so much a case. We keep them pretty well…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-munger/if-you-want-good-behavior-don-t-pay-on-a-commission-basis-our-judges/) [Charlie Munger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-munger/) [Browse all 4,218 Behavior quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/behavior/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Although we all have various espoused theories, when we find ourselves in an embarrassing or psychologically threatening situation, almost all of us activate just one theory-in-use to guide our behavior, one which I am about to describe (Argyris and Schon, 1996).”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Roger Schwarz" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-schwarz/although-we-all-have-various-espoused-theories-when-we-find-ourselves/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Behavior" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-schwarz/although-we-all-have-various-espoused-theories-when-we-find-ourselves/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f4a/roger-schwarz-103042_behavior_although-we-all-have-various-espoused-th_756148.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f4a/roger-schwarz-103042_behavior_although-we-all-have-various-espoused-th_756148.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f4a/roger-schwarz-103042_behavior_although-we-all-have-various-espoused-th_756148.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Although we all have various espoused theories, when we find ourselves in an embarrassing or psychologically…” — Roger Schwarz", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Roger Schwarz", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-schwarz/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“Although we all have various espoused...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-schwarz/although-we-all-have-various-espoused-theories-when-we-find-ourselves/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-schwarz/although-we-all-have-various-espoused-theories-when-we-find-ourselves/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```