The more you lack something, the more you want to show for it. Why is this so?

In life, we often encounter such people. We all know that they are actually lacking in certain aspects, but they intentionally or unintentionally show that they are very capable in this aspect at different times, different places, and different occasions. As a result, they try to cover up their shortcomings, and often end up making things worse and making a fool of themselves! In fact, this slightly morbid phenomenon can be explained from the perspective of psychology and sociology, involving self-cognition, social comparison, compensation mechanism and other aspects. The following are possible reasons:

1. Compensation

When a person realizes that he or she is deficient or lacking in some aspect, he or she may compensate for this lack by performing well in other aspects. This is a psychological defense mechanism to relieve inner anxiety or inferiority. For example, if a person feels that he or she is not smart enough, he or she may cover up this deficiency by being very hardworking or having outstanding social skills.

Image source: Pixabay

2. Self-identity and self-esteem

People often build self-identity and self-esteem through external recognition. If a person feels inadequate in a certain area, he or she may exaggerate or fabricate his or her abilities in this area to gain recognition from others and thus enhance self-esteem. This behavior may be unconscious and is intended to maintain psychological balance.

3. Social comparison and competition

In social settings, people often compare themselves to others. If a person feels that they are inferior to others in some aspect, they may fabricate or exaggerate their ability in this aspect to gain an advantage in the competition. This behavior may be to gain higher status or respect in the group.

4. Impression Management

People will deliberately shape their own image in social interactions to influence others' views of them. If a person is deficient in some aspects, he or she may lie or exaggerate the facts to create a more perfect image in order to gain the favor or respect of others.

5. Cognitive Dissonance

Cognitive dissonance can occur when there is a gap between a person's self-perception and reality. To reduce this discomfort, individuals may engage in self-deception or lying to align their behavior with their self-perception. For example, if a person believes that they should be successful, but in reality they are not, they may reduce their inner conflict by fabricating success.

6. Social expectations and pressure

The expectations that society and culture place on an individual can also influence behavior. If society has high expectations for a particular area, individuals may feel pressure to conform to those expectations by lying or exaggerating. For example, society's emphasis on wealth, status, or appearance may prompt individuals to fabricate their achievements in these areas.

7. Self-protection and escapism

Sometimes, lying or fabricating facts is a way of self-protection, helping individuals escape from real difficulties or failures. By fabricating their own excellence in this regard, individuals can temporarily escape from inner pain or external criticism.

Summarize

The more a person lacks something, the more they want to excel in it, perhaps because they try to make up for their inner sense of inadequacy, gain external recognition, or escape from the difficulties in reality through compensation, impression management, or self-deception. Although this behavior may relieve psychological pressure in the short term, it may aggravate inner conflicts and external misunderstandings in the long run.

Source: Chongqing Science Writers Association

Author: Mr. Zou's Science Garden Chief Technician Zou Jingbo

Audit expert: Li Hanbin

Statement: Except for original content and special notes, some pictures are from the Internet. They are not for commercial purposes and are only used as popular science materials. The copyright belongs to the original authors. If there is any infringement, please contact us to delete them.