Self-sufficiency: An Essential Aspect of Well-being

A few months ago, I wrote about slighting – about why human beings are so vulnerable to feeling disrespected, and how perceived disrespect can cause severe psychological pain and even lead to violence in retaliation. Typical slights include not being invited to a party that everyone else you know is going to; giving a person a lift or a meal and not being thanked in return or being passed over for a promotion.

I mentioned that feeling slighted is the cause of a great deal of violent crime, including a high percentage of murders. One of the reasons why alcohol is so strongly linked to crime is because of its "self-inflating" effect — it makes people feel more special and important, and so increases their sensitivity to slights.

But even without alcohol, research shows a link between violent crime and high self-regard. Although low self-esteem is often associated with criminality, people who have very high self-regard — together with a low opinion of other people — may be narcissistic, lack empathy and respond aggressively to slights.

Please select this link to read the complete article from Psychology Today.