Why would one brag to someone who has accomplished more or is on a higher level on a particular topic? What's the psychology behind this? Is it meant to spawn a sense of competition, or to impress? Are they overly comfortable with the other person? Is it due to stupidity on the part of the braggart, because common sense should tell you that bragging usually doesn't endear one to others.
2007-08-17 21:22:31 · 7 answers · asked by questionable 2 in Social Science ➔ Psychology
I think it would be a question of whether the person was bragging or simply talking about what they had done. Depending on the field in which he excells, he may simply feel that this person is someone who, having accomplished at least as much, can understand his happiness at what he's accomplished.
If it's really bragging, then it could be for any of the reasons you mentioned; it could also mean that the person doing the bragging doesn't KNOW what the listener has accomplished.
2007-08-17 21:32:03 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Wow. Some great comments. Emotions put a finger on the scale of observation and make accurate measurement impossible. It's helpful to think of all emotions related to or even included in love or fear. Other factors warping vision are judging (opinion) based on, among others, preconceived notions, 'facts', limited experience, state of mind, personal definition of words and ego. In my experience you try your best when your applying for a job or to be worthy of another persons friendship, or talking about what someone else is interested in. I even found myself trying to ask a questions by making statements, assertions to get a reaction or correction not even knowing the question. I guess we just don't have enough information, but at least we can try to be more objective ourselves and find something in a person we like. That helps us understand where they might be coming from because love is our true human nature trying to survive under all the variables and judging obscures that fact. Wow, let me brag and say that I got through all that without a spealing errro.
2007-08-17 21:39:27 · answer #2 · answered by hb12 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Some people seek internal acknowledgment and are fine with just knowing they did a good job or feeling that they did a good job.
Others seek external acknowledgment and approval. This involves (usually) people telling them or admiring them. It can be that if they have or had an extreme deficit of this, they may take this too far.
Some people are in the middle, too.
Not usually too hard to figure out which type someone is.
2007-08-17 21:45:43 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
The only people that brag are the ones that have no clue that they are inferior.
My only example that comes to mind is a classmate that went around bragging that her IQ was 89.. she apparently thought that 100 was cool (as in all our other tests).
Just ignore these people, they will eventually go away.
Most people are full of 'stuff that we wouldn't eat.
2007-08-17 21:34:13 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes to all of your theories.
Another theory is that the person is desperately trying to impress even though she will loose.
2007-08-17 21:33:39 · answer #5 · answered by DrIG 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Perhaps the person is intimidated by the more accomplished person and trying to win his/her approval...
2007-08-17 21:29:04 · answer #6 · answered by drshorty 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
jealousy. its what the ghetto community refers to as "hating". Some people try to bring others down cuz they are envious.
2007-08-17 21:31:26 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋