Recent months, videos of middle-aged white women who are perceived to be entitled and overly angry have been trending on Instagram. These individuals are being referred to as “Karens.”
But why does this behavior begin? Yahoo Life sought out experts to gain insight into the psychology behind these meltdowns. We’ll cover what psychologists believe causes entitlement and why people feel the need to express their anger in public.
Entitlement
Entitlement, or the feeling that one deserves something, is a common trait among privileged individuals. Unfortunately, having this kind of mentality can have detrimental effects on your life and relationships with others.
If you suspect you may be struggling with entitlement, it is essential to seek professional help immediately. Doing so will enable you to identify the source of your issue and devise strategies for change.
Entitled people tend not to have the best relationships with their co-workers. They lack team spirit and are rarely willing to solve problems. Additionally, these individuals typically lack low self-esteem and seek approval constantly; this can result in negative interactions with others as well as subpar job performance.
A video of a woman at Trader Joe’s yelling at a store clerk for not wearing her face mask is an example of “Karen-like behavior,” which researchers refer to as entitlement and sometimes race-based. We’ve seen it in other contexts too – like when white women call the police on black folks barbecuing in public parks.
Research has also discovered that feelings of entitlement can contribute to feelings of anger. It’s essential to remember that these emotions should never be used as an excuse for any type of rage-filled behavior; rather, they should serve as a signal that you need to take action and seek professional assistance from a therapist or counselor.
Though some white women have long been accused of Karen-like behavior, its visibility on social media is growing due to the emergence of subreddits and memes associated with it.
Therefore, it is essential to comprehend the psychology behind Karen-like behavior and why it has become so widespread in modern society. In this article, we’ll look at some of the primary reasons why a sense of entitlement may contribute to such behaviors and how it can be addressed.
The psychology behind this behavior can be intricate, so if you find yourself struggling with any of these issues, seek professional help. A therapist or counselor can assist in understanding how your own behaviors impact others and helping you develop strategies to change them for the better.
Self-Awareness
Self-awareness is the capacity to objectively observe your actions and emotions without making up stories about yourself. It can help you recognize and correct misbehavior as well as select tasks that develop strengths while sidestepping those that exacerbate weaknesses.
Multiple studies have demonstrated the connection between self-awareness and positive youth development (Elliot & Coker, 2008; Lyke, 2009; Ravens-Sieberer and The European KIDSCREEN Group, 2006). Some researchers consider self-reflection to be one of the main dimensions of self-awareness (Catalano, 2002), while others argue that insight, reflection and mindfulness are more significant in shaping positive outcomes (Benson et al., 2007; Greenberg et al., 2017).
Contrary to these perspectives, a recent two-part study reported on the development of a self-report questionnaire that measured the effects of self-awareness on various outcomes (SAOQ, n.d). The aim was to create an instrument which would capture all the positive influences self-awareness can have in someone’s life.
The study’s first study established the face and content validity of the SAOQ, while its second developed its factor structure, reliability and construct validity. Four factors emerged from statistical analysis: reflective self-development; acceptance of self and others; proactivity at work; and emotional costs. Results from this second study confirmed these themes identified in focus groups, providing intermethod triangulation support for the structure of the questionnaire.
As a result of their research, the authors created the SAOQ as an efficient means for measuring the effects of awareness-raising techniques. The questionnaire contains items related to self-reflection, insight, reflection, rumination and mindfulness that they believe will provide useful data for researchers.
Scored high on the SAOQ, those who scored high reported significantly lower levels of rumination and proactivity at work than those who scored low on the questionnaire. Furthermore, they had significantly greater reflective self-development practices as well as self-awareness practices than those who scored low on the questionnaire. Furthermore, these individuals reported lower costs and greater empathy compared to their low scoring counterparts.
Anxiety
Anxiety is a normal and natural emotion, but when it takes over your life and interferes with daily tasks, then you may have an anxiety disorder. There are various treatments for this condition; working together with a mental health professional can help manage it better.
Anxiety disorders can impact individuals of all ages. They usually begin in childhood and can be treated through therapy, medications, and lifestyle modifications.
People suffering from anxiety disorder often experience worry when confronted with certain situations, such as a job interview or test. They may also exhibit physical signs like trembling, sweating, rapid heartbeat or difficulty breathing.
Potential risk factors for anxiety include personality traits and a history of traumatic events. Other conditions, such as thyroid issues or heart arrhythmias, may also increase your likelihood of experiencing anxiety.
Another risk factor for anxiety disorders is genetics. Individuals with a parent or sibling who had an anxiety disorder are more likely to develop it themselves.
Additionally, environmental elements like childhood stressors can increase the likelihood of anxiety. These could include traumatic experiences like abuse or family conflicts.
Anxiety disorders may also be caused by drugs or alcohol. If you find that you are abusing these substances excessively or they are negatively impacting your quality of life, seek medical help immediately.
Research indicates that children of anxious mothers tend to focus more on potential threats than their non-anxious peers, and as adults they are more prone to stress-related behaviors.
This behavior could be indicative of an anxiety disorder, leading to social withdrawal and avoidance of situations that make them feel threatened. It may also make them more aggressive, engaging in self-defense or violence against others for self-preservation.
Researchers are still uncertain why this occurs, but it could be related to babies’ reactions to images of angry faces or how they process information about their environment.
Breaking this pattern of thinking can be particularly difficult, particularly for those prone to feeling anxious and fearful. That is why treating anxiety as soon as possible is so important; doing so will only make things worse and make living your everyday life more challenging.
Personality
Personality is determined by a variety of factors. Some are genetic, while others are shaped by environment. Your relationships with others also shape who you become as an individual.
Psychoanalysis, developed by psychiatrist Sigmund Freud during the first half of the 20th century, is one of the most influential theories of personality. This broad-based theory examines all factors that shape our behavior and decision-making; it emphasizes that each individual is unique and no two people are alike.
Another essential aspect of the theory is its dynamic nature. Personality traits can change and evolve throughout a person’s lifetime, so it’s essential not to label someone with one specific type.
Personality is typically the result of both genetics and environment interacting together. As you grow older and gain knowledge about your environment, your personality will evolve accordingly.
Some changes can be beneficial and harmful. On one hand, they may help you become a better person; on the other hand, they might cause harm or cause you to lose control over your actions.
However, other factors can also lead to negative changes in your personality such as stress or trauma. These triggers may result in feelings of anxiety, depression or even rage.
Mental health conditions can be challenging for those affected, and psychologists can offer support. Psychologists are trained in observing and understanding people so they can determine what causes a person to feel this way.
Analyzing patient behavior with this kind of analysis can assist physicians in formulating a diagnosis and finding effective treatments. When dealing with Karen-like behavior, it may be important to take this approach in order to gain insight into why these women act the way they do.
As with other areas of psychology, personality science has its own distinct traditions. Some researchers take a nomothetic approach which emphasizes generalizability while others employ an idiographic approach which seeks to comprehend an individual within their culture and society. Both approaches have advantages and drawbacks; however it is possible to integrate both perspectives for a better understanding of personality traits.
