Mechanisms in the unconscious mind resist change. It’s a safety thing designed to help preserve homeostasis (aka stability). It’s how “denial” works. Unless you have done a lot of introspection/therapy/meditation, it’s quite powerful and very effective.
Using simpler language, people are afraid of change, and they are afraid of uncomfortable feelings/emotions.
When you ask a person to admit their human foibles & failings, they intuitively know several things:
- this is going to bring up guilt, shame, embarrassment (all unpleasant feelings)
- to be a responsible, sane, intelligent person, I’ll have to change once I admit a problem
- I don’t know how to change; I’m afraid of change; I’ve become comfortable with they way things are and I don’t want to change
All of those kick-in and the person deflects the thing you are asking them to own … not likely to happen. But you can improve your chances by building own skill at seeing/owning what you are afraid to see.