Hubris

Mahangin. This is a colloquial term given to people whose self-confidence is so strong it is similar to being near a low pressure area. In Physics, when the pressure is low, speed of air is fast. This could cause trees and other things be toppled down. Self-confidence is the key to success, of course! But, too much of it could be annoying and unhealthy.

In one review of earlier studies on self-esteem, researchers found that high self-confidence could sometimes have undesirable consequences. People with high self-esteem also tended to have worse relationships because they blamed their partners for any problems with the relationship. High self-esteem was also linked a higher frequency of violent and aggressive behaviors (Cherry, 2018).

In social encounters, there is really a balance of giving information about yourself and achievements and keeping professional silence if the information is not needed. Yet these loud people often display themselves as if they are the entitled individuals to do so while we (the lesser beings) ogle at their feigned “greatness”.

Maslow clearly stated that we all have needs. The lower version of esteem is the need for respect from others. This may include a need for status, recognition, fame, prestige, and attention. The higher version manifests itself as the need for self-respect. Ergo, it is human nature to feel the need to be recognized.

Yet this might fall into a mental health issue once again. According to scientificamerican.com, new research suggests that nearly everyone will develop a psychological disorder at some point in their lives, but for most it’s temporary. But those who would hold on to such delusions and be held by the collar of their unmet needs might fall into the trap of being mentally ill.

So what then are these people who manifest hubris? Are they ill? Of course, we often get sick of their ways to the point that we want to get out of their zones to feel fresh air rather than die with their stink. Were they deprived of recognition when they were still young to the point that they want to fill in such need now that they have the power and the capacity? The answer could be yes. It has been researched many times and results stem down to childhood trauma.

Experiencing severe deprivation and neglect in childhood can have a lasting psychological impact into early adulthood, according to a study conducted at the University of Southampton, which has followed the mental health of a group of children adopted from Romanian institutions to UK families in the 1990s.

It is in this anchorage that psychologists view hubristic behavior as a counter-mechanism to cope on the traumatic experiences during childhood which grew to become a strong need to cope. Owen and Davidson (2009) said that Hubris syndrome is seen as an acquired condition, and therefore different from most personality disorders which are traditionally seen as persistent throughout adulthood. This is seen as a disorder of the possession of power, particularly power which has associated with overwhelming success.

In this times when we direly need cohesion and co-existence rather than division, it is but practical to view ourselves in the middle of the communities where we belong and scrutinize our contributions. It could be fair to lean on our strengths but to make this to make others feel inferior could be counterproductive. But the alarming thing is if we are the cause of turmoil and confusion due to the uncontrolled quirks blown out proportion. We might be thinking that we are the BEST among others yet they see us as pitifully SICK!

So, what then? It is now going back to journeying to the inner self. It is the ability to ask yourself: Am I being a tropical depression or a super typhoon in terms of presenting myself to others? If so, how can I make myself breeze into the lives of others like summer rain?