Why We Do What We Do
Understanding the reasons behind our actions
Topics
Why do people avoid responsibility?
People avoid responsibility to protect themselves from negative consequences, maintain their self-image, or avoid feelings of guilt and shame.
Read more →Why do people become defensive?
People become defensive to protect themselves from perceived threats, criticism, or challenges to their self-image or beliefs.
Read more →Why do people blame others?
People blame others to protect their self-esteem, avoid responsibility, reduce feelings of guilt or shame, maintain a positive self-image, and cope with difficult emotions.
Read more →Why do people break promises?
People break promises due to overcommitment, changing priorities, difficulty saying no, fear of conflict, lack of planning, or when circumstances change unexpectedly.
Read more →Why do people bully?
People bully to gain power and control, boost their own self-esteem, fit in with peer groups, cope with their own pain or insecurity, and sometimes because they've been bullied themselves.
Read more →Why do people cheat?
People cheat for various reasons including relationship dissatisfaction, opportunity, desire for novelty, low commitment, personal values, and sometimes as a response to unmet emotional or physical needs.
Read more →Why do people get defensive?
People get defensive to protect their self-esteem, avoid feeling vulnerable, maintain their sense of control, and respond to perceived threats to their identity or competence.
Read more →Why do people gossip?
People gossip to share information, build social bonds, establish group norms, gain status, and navigate social relationships, serving important evolutionary and social functions.
Read more →Why do people judge others?
People judge others to simplify complex social information, protect their self-esteem, maintain social order, and make quick decisions about who to trust or avoid.
Read more →Why do people lie?
People lie for various reasons, including self-protection, social acceptance, and avoiding conflict.
Read more →Why do people seek attention?
People seek attention to fulfill emotional needs, gain validation, boost self-esteem, or compensate for feelings of inadequacy.
Read more →Why do people self-sabotage?
People self-sabotage due to fear of failure or success, low self-esteem, unconscious patterns, fear of change, self-doubt, or as a way to maintain control by creating predictable outcomes.
Read more →Why do people steal?
People steal for various reasons including economic need, psychological disorders, impulse control issues, thrill-seeking, peer pressure, and sometimes as a response to trauma or emotional distress.
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