The seventh sin is a useful emotion
The fine art of keeping up appearances may seem shallow and deceitful, the very embodiment of denial. But many psychologists beg to differ. To the extent that it sustains good habits and reflects personal pride, they say, this kind of play-acting can be an extremely effective social strategy, especially in uncertain times.
“If showing pride in these kinds of situations was always maladaptive, then why would people do it so often?†said David DeSteno, a psychologist at Northeastern University in Boston. “But people do, of course, and we are finding that pride is centrally important not just for surviving physical danger but for thriving in difficult social circumstances, in ways that are not at all obvious.â€
When All You Have Left Is Your Pride by Benedict Carey in the NYT.
Answers to questions you might be asking, unless you wandered onto this site purely by accident >>>
April 8th, 2009 at 00:53
Fascinating article. I’m self-employed and single. Makes me thankful for the modest inheritance and simple material things I have. On days when I just really need to go out and have coffee at those “sosyal” coffee shops, I see many executive types in nice clothes,sipping latte, tapping away at their laptops,trying to look smart and “busy”. For all I know, they may be unemployed and just don’t want to be stuck at home. I have nothing against that. This article confirms my suspicions. Apparently it’s now a global situation. In Japan, the unemployed usually commit seppuku,or jump off trains and buildings. Glad to know that the educated Filipinos have a healthy coping mechanism. We’re all hoping that behind these dark clouds…..are other dark clouds(?)
April 8th, 2009 at 05:06
RE: “Sure enough, the students who had been warmly encouraged reported feeling more pride than the others. But they also struck their partners in the group exercise as being both more dominant and more likable than those who did not have the inner glow of self-approval.
The Northeastern researchers found that inducing a feeling of pride in people solving spatial puzzles motivated them to try harder when they tackled the next round.
Pride, in short, begets perseverance.â€
COmment:
That is why a good teacher/counsellor/mentor should always give a positive feedback, so as to encourage, increase self esteem and to establish self-confidence (pride) in the student(s).