Masking is when a person hides or changes parts of who they are in order to feel safer, fit in, or be accepted. It is like wearing an invisible costume in social situations. Many people do this, often without fully realising it, especially if they have been judged, bullied, neglected, or misunderstood in the past.​
Behaviourism can help deepen our understanding of how societal systems of reward and punishment condition individuals, shape ego processes, and ultimately entrench a culture of blame.