The Evolution of Self Criticism

3min Snip

00:00

Play full episode

Summary

Transcript

Episode notes

The leading theory around why we are so hard in ourselves is that self criticism is a negative personality trait. But this trait exists on the spectrum or a continuum, and those of us who possess this very loud inner critic are measuring higher on self criticism as a personality trait. The reason some of us are so hard on ourselves likely originates from those early relationships with caregivers and also with peers. Studies have continuously shown across so many different areas that persistent parental criticism being constantly put down even childhood bullying instills what we would call a negative self image.

So often in life, we are our own worst enemies. The meanest and loudest voice in our head is our own. So why are we so hard on ourselves? In this episode we break down the psychological underpinnings behind our inner critic, from the proposed evolutionary role of negative self talk, to the influence of our upbringing including the distinction between conditional and unconditional positive regard, parental expectations and childhood bullying. We examine how social comparison and overthinking can contribute to a poor self perception but, also, how we can adopt the methods of radical self compassion and cognitive diffusion to silence that inner voice and be free from self judgement. Listen now!

Patreon: https://patreon.com/ThePsychologyofyour20s

Harvard Business Review article: https://hbr.org/2021/05/stop-being-so-hard-on-yourself

Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatpsychologypodcast/?hl=en&__coig_restricted=1

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.