Recently, our studies explored whether people with higher entitlement levels made entitlement-based judgments about others. To test this hypothesis, we measured and modified their status motivation, dominance motivation, and envy levels when faced with high-status individuals.
We found that more entitled participants were more prone to both benign and malicious envy when they encountered high-status others. This pattern held true regardless of how we measured their entitlement (Studies 1A and 2B) or altered it (Studies 2A and 2B).
Entitlement is a common trait of entitled Karens
One of the hallmarks of entitled Karens is their tendency to make judgments based on entitlement about others. They believe they deserve special treatment or preferential consideration due to their social standing, and can become aggressive or angry if they don’t get what they desire.
If you feel judged, seeking out a therapist or counselor may be beneficial. They can assist in working through your issues and providing tools to better comprehend how feelings impact you.
Another way to avoid being judged is by learning how to unlearn your biases and prejudices. Recognizing them can be challenging when they have become so embedded in your life, but it’s essential for self-awareness and growth.
White women and people of color alike can benefit from learning more about the history of white supremacy and racism by reading up on chattel slavery, lynchings, or acknowledging how your own white privilege has affected how you view people of color.
You can try to remember how your experiences have affected you and what they’ve taught you about recognizing and unlearning your own biases. This can be especially helpful if you’re dealing with racism or hate speech, since these events often make one aware of just how entrenched those prejudices truly are.
For instance, you might take a closer look at how you treat people in your workplace or at the grocery store and consider ways to improve those interactions. Consider taking a class on working with difficult individuals or reading up on anti-racism – both can help you uncover and unlearn your own biases so that you make more tolerant choices in the future.
If you find yourself becoming more and more critical of others, seeking professional help is a wise idea. They can identify the source of your issues and teach you strategies for change.
Entitlement fuels cognitive distortions
People who are dealing with high levels of stress or anxiety often resort to cognitive distortions. These flawed thinking styles can lead to feelings of negativity and depression. Recognizing and accepting these distorted thoughts helps you prevent them from becoming part of your daily life.
One of the most prevalent cognitive distortions is a belief that you deserve something. For instance, you may think that if you work hard enough or sacrifice enough of yourself, then better things will come your way in the future – this idea, known as the heaven’s reward fallacy, can lead to feelings of anxiety and depression.
Another type of cognitive distortion involves the tendency to attribute events to luck rather than talent and effort. For instance, Joel may believe he was successful in a project due to a lucky break, not his own talent or hard work. This can lead to learned helplessness–a condition which makes people feel helpless and unable to manage their own lives.
When this occurs, it can be challenging to recognize how your actions impact other people and yourself. But using this as an opportunity to reevaluate how you communicate with others and reflect on yourself can be an effective strategy for overcoming cognitive distortion.
Particularly if you are trying to improve your mental health and become more productive, professional assistance should be sought. When feeling like you cannot reach your objectives on your own, seek professional assistance for assistance.
Additionally, it’s essential to identify the underlying reasons for your dysfunctional thoughts and behaviors. These could be from personal history or childhood experiences that have contributed to a feeling of entitlement.
It’s essential to recognize that everyone possesses their own set of strengths and talents. By being aware of your own capabilities, you can build confidence that you can reach your objectives. Furthermore, working on social skills will enable you to communicate more effectively with others.
Entitlement is a maladaptive personality trait
Studies have repeatedly linked a sense of entitlement to negative outcomes across various domains (Golann & Darling-Aduana, 2020; Fisk, 2010; Grubbs & Exline, 2016). Entitlement can be an unhealthy personality trait because it leads to cognitive distortions that lead to distress and dissatisfaction (Grubbs & Exline, 2016).
One major reason for this is that more entitled individuals often do not achieve their desired status in the eyes of others, leading to disappointment and unhappiness.
Another reason entitled people often experience negative outcomes in their relationships is due to an unrealistic expectation of how their partners should act around them (Grubbs & Exline, 2012). They believe their partner must be perfect and take care of all of their needs.
However, this isn’t always the case. There are a variety of factors which can shape someone’s behaviour in relationships – some of which cannot be controlled (e.g., economics).
One factor that may influence someone’s actions in a relationship is vulnerability. Vulnerability makes it harder for people to express their emotions and feelings openly, which may lead to depression or anxiety symptoms.
Finally, a lack of empathy can cause problems in relationships. People who demonstrate low levels of empathy tend to have difficulty communicating with others and may not know how to properly respond to their partners.
This can have a detrimental effect on their relationships and overall well-being. That is why it is so important to seek help if you believe you are struggling with this trait.
To explore this further, we conducted a study with 1630 adults from the St. Louis Personal and Aging Network (SPAN). Baseline data included information about health, life events, relationship history and personality traits. All participants completed an extensive baseline assessment that included several personality tests and interviews.
Entitlement is a self-defeating personality trait
Entitlement is the belief that one deserves special treatment or attention without working for it. This self-defeating attitude can cause major tension in relationships and lead to disappointment when desires aren’t fulfilled.
People with a sense of entitlement tend to have high expectations and desire things from others – whether it’s money, possessions, or friends. Unfortunately, they often neglect to express gratitude or show appreciation for what they have and may even display greediness by taking advantage of others.
Behavior like this is often shaped by one’s environment. If a child was raised with spoiling or neglect, they may grow up believing they deserve everything without having to put in effort.
Personality disorders can contribute to a sense of entitlement. For instance, narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) may result in excessive self-worth and arrogance.
Antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) may manifest similar behaviors. Individuals suffering from ASPD believe they are superior to others and do not prefer to follow rules.
These individuals typically lack empathy towards other people. When their needs aren’t met, they become frustrated and accuse others of failing to meet their demands.
They can also be manipulative. They will use their status and power to gain what they desire, often times trying to coerce others into giving them what they believe is due them.
If you are struggling with a sense of entitlement, it’s essential to find ways to combat the issue. Talking with an experienced counselor can help pinpoint the source of your issues and encourage healthier behaviors in the future.
Start by taking steps to reduce your feelings of entitlement and learn how to appreciate what is important in life. Consider seeking counseling from an online therapist who can offer compassionate support and guidance.
A sense of entitlement can be a challenging personality trait to manage, but it is possible to alter your behavior and improve relationships. Reach out to an online therapist at BetterHelp today to book an initial session. We can match you with an experienced, caring therapist who can offer the support and tools necessary for significant progress.
