Why are people compelled to judge others?

Question

Is there a payoff? a reward of some kind?

Great answers guys. can't decide, gonna leave this one for voting.

Answer 1

It's human nature to form opinions about other people. It's how we figure out who we could form beneficial relationships with, and who is more likely to negatively impact our lives.

Answer 2

I usually avoid theology, but....

Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the German pastor who was hanged in a prison camp as the Allied forces were approaching, left an unfinished manuscript, and the fragment was published after the war under the title "Ethics." In it, Bonhoeffer condemns those who judge others, because it is the most fundamental human sin. In the Genesis story of Adam and Eve, he points out, they ate the fruit (apple?) to become like gods, knowing good and evil. Every time we judge someone else, Bonhoeffer claims, we repeat that original sin.

Calvinistic theologians (and Paul's letters) argue that we sin (including the judgment of others), because that original sin is inherited by all humankind.

What one can or should do about that is NOT what the question asked.

Answer 3

Superiority complex. It's part of the survival instinct. Deep inside everyone likes to think they are better than others. That is why we tend to see the bad things in life more. To imagine ourselves above it all. In reality, more good things happen than bad, but we don't notice them. In society there are two ways to climb the social ladder. On your own merits, or on the backs of others(judgment). And there is the reward, climbing the ladder.

Answer 4

We are not compelled. It is a kind of trying to give each person an ID that concerns me. Whether this person could be a friend, a good colleague, needs to be guided, would give me headache, .... so we know how to deal with each one in a different way

Answer 5

Nobody seemed impressed the last time I answered this kind of question, but I'll say it again and expand on it.
I think it stems from a primal/primitive survival instinct.
Judging harshly stems from ego.
I think we all make judgements as an ongoing part of reasoning.

Answer 6

The pay off is being right
Maybe being in the "in" group of thought
Maybe being stubborn and righteous
I think it is underlined by fear...insecurity
A feeling of loss of control, or not being in control
This kind of person will push people away from them
Judgment is exclusive...instead of inclusive

Answer 7

The reward is that you have reduced the other person to be inferior to yourself. That's the payoff. Pathetic isn't it.

Answer 8

We're used to seeing what's on television, or the people we live with, ect. Our surroundings and comforts. Everyone can be a little ignorant at one point or another. The best thing to do is to try and learn about all different things, so you can learn to understand.

Answer 9

Some people make themselves feel better by putting others down ... it's a competitive thing, and in some cases may be motivated by fear or envy.

Answer 10

They , I'm guessing, feel better about themselves. It's part of someone's self esteem, If they feel like crap, one way to feel better is by making someone else look or feel crappier ( i think that's a word, lol). People also judge people so they could justify their actions or situations, by saying "it could be worse, we could be like the family down the street" just makes someone feel better, but believe me, that good feeling is only temporary.