Self-pity
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Self-pity is an emotion in which one feels self-centered sorrow and pity toward the self regarding one's own internal and external experiences of suffering.[1] Self-pity has also been defined as an emotion "directed towards others with the goal of attracting attention, empathy, or help" [1][2]
Description
[edit]The feeling of self-pity typically arises when an individual attributes failures to external factors perceived as uncontrollable.[3] Although the primary focus of self-pity is on the self and one's own emotions, it has a strong interpersonal component as well. In addition to loneliness, subjects may also feel "envy, blame, anger, and hostility directed towards others".[1]
However, it is also very common for people suffering from self-pity to deflect criticism of themselves; they are usually incapable of self-reflection and blame their bad situation only on external factors, such as bad luck or other people's supposed resentment.[citation needed]
Self-pity is different from self-compassion, which consists of extending compassion to oneself in cases of failure or general suffering.
Effects
[edit]The research based on observation on self-pity is very slim, but the research that is available shows that self-pity can be an effect from a stressor of a dramatic event. It can also be shown that aspects of one's personality can affect one's self-pity. Although others initially respond to self-pity with empathic concern, the interpersonal effects of frequent expression of self-pity can be detrimental. Individuals who engage in pervasive self-pity may be more likely to be rejected by their peers and may commonly be perceived as querulous.[1]
Treatment
[edit]As self-pity is observed to be associated with rumination and avoidance coping strategies, it is an important emotional experience to acknowledge in therapeutic settings.[1]
See also
[edit]- Moral emotions
- Pity
- Self-conscious emotions
- Self-compassion
- Social emotions
- Victim playing
- Victim mentality
- Pity (film) – movie about the emotion
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e Stober, J (2003). "Self-Pity: Exploring the Links to Personality, Control Beliefs, and Anger" (PDF). Journal of Personality. 71 (2): 183–220. doi:10.1111/1467-6494.7102004.
- ^ Petric, Domina (January 2019). "Self-Pity and The Knot Theory of Mind". ResearchGate.
- ^ Weiner, Bernard (1 October 2014). "The Attribution Approach to Emotion and Motivation: History, Hypotheses, Home Runs, Headaches/Heartaches". Emotion Review. 6 (4): 353–361. doi:10.1177/1754073914534502. ISSN 1754-0739.
