What happened to you? Did you become arrogant?

An exaggerated sense of self-importance or superiority, frequently accompanied by a disregard for the thoughts and feelings of others, is what is known as arrogance. Individuals who display arrogance tend to have an inflated ego, believing they are superior to those around them. Other people end up thinking, even if they have known you for a long time, “What happened to you?”. Arrogant people often exhibit condescending behavior, dismissive attitudes, and a lack of empathy towards others. Additionally, arrogance is commonly associated with a need for constant validation and attention, as well as an unwillingness to admit mistakes or consider alternative viewpoints.

Common causes of arrogance

The causes of arrogance are complex and multifaceted, often stemming from a combination of internal and external factors. Here are some key contributors:

Internal factors:

Low Self-Esteem

Despite outward displays of confidence, arrogant individuals may harbor deep-seated doubts about their own worth and value. They may engage in arrogant behavior as a way to seek validation and approval from others, compensating for feelings of unworthiness or inadequacy.

Narcissism

Arrogance is a prominent trait of narcissistic personality disorder, a psychological condition characterized by an excessive preoccupation with oneself, a lack of empathy for others, and a grandiose sense of entitlement. Narcissists view themselves as inherently superior to others and believe they deserve special treatment and admiration.

Lack of empathy

Those who are arrogant may not have empathy for other people because they think they are less valuable or deserving of respect. Their inability to empathize with others enables them to ignore their needs, feelings, and viewpoints, which serves to further solidify their sense of superiority.

Also read: Understanding Diverse Perceptions: The Role of Empathy in Our Life

Cognitive Biases

Arrogant individuals may exhibit cognitive biases that distort their perceptions of themselves and others. For example, they may engage in selective attention, focusing only on information that confirms their sense of superiority while dismissing or ignoring evidence to the contrary.

Also read: How To Overcome Egocentric Bias ?

External factors

Excessive praise and success

Early life experiences with excessive praise and recognition can inflate self-perception and foster arrogance if not balanced with humility and self-awareness. Some cultures or social environments may inadvertently promote arrogance by rewarding dominance and competition over collaboration and empathy.

Power imbalances

A sense of superiority and arrogant behavior can be the result of holding positions of power or privilege, especially if accountability and responsibility are not in place to check and balance these feelings.

Other cause

Lack of Feedback: Arrogant individuals may lack meaningful feedback or criticism from others, leading to a distorted perception of their abilities and behavior. Without constructive feedback to challenge their inflated self-image, they may continue to exhibit arrogant behavior without recognizing its negative impact on themselves and others.

Overcoming Arrogance

Cultivating self-awareness and recognizing arrogance within yourself is a valuable journey that requires honesty, introspection, and patience. Here are some strategies to help you on your path:

1. Seek feedback:

Constructive Criticism: Encourage honest feedback from trusted friends, colleagues, or mentors. Actively listen and be open to hearing criticisms, even if they’re uncomfortable.
360-Degree Assessments: Consider participating in 360-degree assessments, which gather anonymous feedback from peers, superiors, and subordinates, offering a well-rounded perspective.

2. Practice mindfulness:

Meditation: Engage in mindfulness meditation practices to quiet your mind and become more aware of your thoughts, feelings, and reactions. This allows you to observe your biases and tendencies without judgment.
Journaling: Regularly reflect on your day, interactions, and emotions in a journal. This helps you identify patterns and recurring behaviors that might indicate arrogance.

3. Pay attention to triggers:

Identify situations: Reflect on situations where you tend to exhibit arrogant behavior. What are the common triggers? Recognizing these triggers allows you to pause and consciously choose a different response.
Body Awareness: Observe your physical reactions when you feel arrogant. Does your posture change? Do you interrupt others? Tuning into these subtle cues can provide valuable insights.

4. Embrace Empathy:

Perspective-taking: Put yourself in others’ shoes when interacting with them. Consider their feelings, viewpoints, and experiences to foster understanding and respect.
Active Listening: Truly listen to others without interrupting or imposing your own opinions. This cultivates empathy and allows you to learn from diverse perspectives.

5. Practice Humility:

Acknowledge Mistakes: Admit when you’re wrong and be open to learning from your mistakes. This demonstrates humility and a willingness to grow.
Celebrate Others’ Successes: Genuinely celebrate the achievements of others without feeling threatened or diminished. This promotes teamwork and fosters a positive environment.

There are many psychological, social, and environmental factors that can combine with each other and cause someone to become cocky. Some things that might make this happen are not having empathy, feeling insecure, having low self-esteem, being narcissistic, having problems with socializing, not getting enough feedback, power dynamics, cognitive biases, and not getting enough help from other people. When people understand why they are cocky, they are better able to recognize and deal with their cocky behavior. In turn, this leads to a rise in self-awareness, understanding, and, finally, humility.