in·tel·lec·tu·al·i·za·tion 
(ĭn′tl-ĕk′ch-ə-lĭ-zāshən)
(ĭn′tl-ĕk′ch-ə-lĭ-zāshən)n.
Psychology
Psychology
1. The act or process of intellectualizing.
2. An unconscious means of protecting oneself from the emotional stress and anxiety associated with confronting painful personal fears or problems by excessive reasoning.