The most frustrating thing about this kind of cognitive stuff is that knowing about it no more liberates you from it than understanding gravity allows you to fly.
I find this difficult to accept, considering that I can recognize, and correct, other subconcious processes and have done so before.
A lot of these statements come up everywhere and we just shrug and keep collecting the data. I think they come from a generation of young (mostly) men raised to admire Spock.
So what does that say about those of us who admire Kirk and think Spock should have lightened up? 
It says that all of you are blind for not admiring Bones.
