Exposure to Privilege and Wealth
Households with greater wealth tend to enjoy more economic security, opportunities, and protection from financial crises. Conversely, lower-income households typically possess less resources and are more vulnerable to being in crisis or facing disruption in the economy.
Furthermore, research indicates that wealthy people often feel more entitled and act unethically. This could explain why many Americans experience animosity towards the wealthy, particularly during times of economic inequality.
Entitlement
In many societies, those with wealth and social power often enjoy a range of privileges others cannot imagine. These can include access to education and medical care, the chance to travel or work abroad, as well as living in affluent neighborhoods.
It is easy to see how privilege can lead to entitled behavior among those with it. A study by Zitek and Jordan discovered that individuals with higher levels of psychological entitlement were more likely to fail to follow instructions than those with lower levels (Zitek & Jordan, 2019).
Research has also demonstrated that exposure to privilege can influence an individual’s view of themselves. When someone has endured hardship in life, they might feel entitled to more than others – this is known as a sense of entitlement, which could lead to negative behaviors like lying, deceitful acts or theft.
Even those in positions of privilege, such as CEOs of major corporations, can fall prey to inequality. Today, top corporate executive salaries have skyrocketed over 1000% since 1950 – evidence that a sense of entitlement may be the driving force behind inequality in America today.
One reason this is the case is because current circumstances are more influential than past ones when determining someone’s deserving status. This could explain why CEO-to-worker pay has grown so rapidly in recent years.
Another potential explanation is the socialization processes that take place during childhood. Children learn to form beliefs about themselves that replace any prior ones they had acquired.
Once these beliefs become embedded in someone’s mind, they can become an internal dialogue and direct their actions. Exposure to privilege and wealth can have powerful effects on people; which is why those with privilege should strive to challenge this type of behavior within themselves by taking steps like taking yourself out of situations that make one feel like they deserve something they don’t. Furthermore, those struggling with similar attitudes should provide support and assistance by being supportive while helping them gain clarity about why these feelings arise in the first place.
Malicious Envy
Envy is a bitter and often deadly emotion found in cultures across all religions and cultures. It motivates people to plot, scheme, steal and sabotage. Envy has been implicated in some of history’s most horrific crimes – from Cain’s fratricide against Abel to the Jewish genocide.
Dr. Vinall distinguishes envy from jealousy, which stems from fear of being replaced by another’s possessions or attention, as an emotion motivated solely by desire. Envy is an emotion rooted in wanting what others possess; it’s an emotion of coveting what others possess, according to Dr. Vinall.
Malicious envy is often driven by Machiavellian behaviors such as deception, sabotage and spreading rumors about the envied person. It may also be indicative of narcissism or psychopathy.
Though exposure to privilege and wealth is an inevitable part of life, it can have a detrimental effect on individuals’ mental health. It may cause them to feel ungrateful, dissatisfied with their lives, and pessimistic about the future.
They may become more inclined to engaging in risky behavior such as illegal gambling or drug use, which could potentially lead them to commit suicide or rob banks.
One of the most devastating consequences of malicious envy is its capacity to drive people to destruction within communities and, particularly, undermine leaders. Leaders who harbor envy against others can use their positions as leverage to manipulate, sabotage and ultimately destroy those they lead.
They can use their position to gain influence, power and resources for themselves and their communities. Not only is this damaging for those within these groups but it also undermines their capacity to grow, transform, contribute and thrive.
Leaders who feel envious of others often attempt to conceal their intentions from their followers. Instead, they may rationalize their actions by asserting that their actions serve a higher cause, provide an avenue for important messages or right injustice, or build something greater than themselves.
Research has demonstrated that these motivations are often not justified. In reality, most envious people attempt to manipulate others for selfish gain.
Self-Esteem
Self-esteem is the subjective opinion a person holds of themselves, formed through thoughts, perceptions, and experiences – such as social status or messages from others or media sources. People with high self-esteem feel confident, secure and worthwhile; they generally have an upbeat outlook on life.
Low self-esteem is a serious issue that can negatively impact an individual’s mental health and quality of life. It may be caused by lack of confidence, fear of failure, or an unhealthy self-image. Low self-esteem may also be indicative of another disorder or mental illness such as depression.
Positing positive self-worth is essential for building and maintaining healthy relationships with others, as well as managing stressful life situations with effective coping skills. Furthermore, having high self-esteem has physical, psychological, and economic advantages.
Recent research has indicated that teenagers with low self-esteem tend to experience greater levels of depression than their peers. Furthermore, those who struggle with low self-worth may struggle with completing tasks and believe they aren’t good enough.
Furthermore, they may feel unworthy of a better future than what they currently have. Low self-esteem can also lead to anorexia nervosa and suicide attempts.
High self-esteem refers to a positive perception of oneself and being proud of your accomplishments, though there is no perfect self-esteem. Some individuals are born with it while others must work hard to attain it.
People who develop positive self-esteem often possess the courage and assurance to take on challenges. They have greater chances of succeeding at their objectives, as well as feeling that they are worth a great deal in life.
However, some people develop an unhealthy obsession with wealth and status. They may become arrogant or jealous of other people’s success. Additionally, they may fear losing their privilege, finding it difficult to accept when taken away.
Self-Worth
Self-worth is a subjective experience that can vary based on many factors. A person’s perception of their own worth has significant ramifications on everything from relationships to career decisions.
Low self-worth can be caused by experiences such as a negative family environment, inadequate education or unhealthy relationships. It may also stem from the feeling that one is unworthy of others’ love and respect.
People with low self-worth tend to feel insecure and vulnerable to feelings of guilt or blame for their circumstances. This may also manifest itself in depression, risky behaviors, and an unwillingness to tolerate abusive treatment.
To increase self-worth, recognize that you are an extraordinary individual with special talents and gifts. Once you identify what it is that you excel at, focus on improving that area and see results!
It is a mistake to judge your worth based on your job or material possessions. Having an upbeat outlook in life, even if you don’t have much money, is more important than anything else.
Another important factor to consider is how you interpret events in your life. For instance, if a distressing encounter has occurred and low self-worth is making you feel like the victim, alter how you think about it.
Exposure to privilege can be beneficial. Studies have demonstrated that suffering disadvantage can make a person more appreciative of the social advantages they enjoy.
Therefore, they can better comprehend how these advantages may arise due to their membership in a dominant group (e.g., White people).
That is why exposure to privilege can be such a beneficial way for increasing self-worth. By helping those with low self-worth understand how they benefit from society’s gifts, we help them form healthy beliefs about themselves that lead to increased satisfaction with life overall.
