Under most circumstances, having plenty of self-confidence is a good thing.
Confident people tend to be more successful in a wide variety of domains.
But is it ever possible to have too much confidence?
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Sometimes, confidence might be confused with being conceited or being full of yourself.
There are times, however, when having too much confidence can become a problem.
Some research has suggested that kids with higher self-esteem are more likely to engage in risk-taking behaviors.
High self-esteem was also linked to a higher frequency of violent and aggressive behaviors.
Except they are often the only ones unaware of their shortcomings, a phenomenon known as theDunning-Kruger effect.
In other cases, excessive self-confidence involves ignoring the needs of others in favor of one’s own interests.
In some situations, even excessive self-confidence can actually lead to some success.
In other cases, excess confidence can be seen as deceit or even narcissism.
Such qualities might make an employee less appealing to current and future employers.
Overconfidence in our abilities is something that happens to everyone once in a while.
Fortunately, such overconfidence is often self-correcting.
When this overconfidence is habitual, more serious and often lasting consequences can arise.
What Causes Too Much Confidence?
A number of different factors can contribute to excessive levels of self-confidence.
But why do some people seem to form such an exaggerated sense of self?
Research suggests that certaincognitive biasescan play a role in contributing to overconfidence in one’s own opinions and ideas.
This leads people to believe that their own way of thinking and acting is superior and “correct.”
It is this illusion of personal infallibility that can contribute to having too much confidence.
What Does It Mean to Have Too Much Confidence?
So how do we determine what levels of self-confidence are appropriate?
And are such levels the same for different people and across different situations?
Self-confidence is not just a psychological construct; it is also heavily influenced by culture.
Cultural Factors
Individualistic cultures, for example, tend to prize self-confidence more highly than docollectivist cultures.
People were expected to obey authority figures, including those older or ranked higher in the social hierarchy.
People are encouraged to be independent and self-esteem has become a prized characteristic.
Behaving outside these norms can have a number of consequences for both men and women.
Is It Overconfidence or Bias?
In many cases, it may not be that people are too confident.
Criticisms of youth often suggest that todays kids are frequently the recipients of so-called participation trophies.
Such praise is designed to build confidence and self-esteem.
Critics suggest that this approach leads to a sense of entitlement or even unearned confidence.
A mindset is an underlying belief about intelligence and learning.
People with a fixed mindset tend to believe that intelligence is an inborn trait.
Those with a growth mindset believe that they can become smarter through their own efforts.
So whats the best way to build confidence and a growth mindset?
Dweck suggests that praising efforts, rather than outcomes, is the key.
This doesn’t mean lavishing praise on kids for doing nothing.
Rather, it means recognizing their efforts instead of only focusing on the results.
So why do older generations perceive younger people as overly confident?
Are todays kids really too confident for their own good?
This perception is more likely due to shifts in cultural norms and expectations.
Older generations were encouraged to be quiet, obedient, and out of the way.
Seen, but not heard, was typically described as the ideal when it came to kids.
Culture has shifted, as has our understanding ofchild developmentand childrens needs.
Is Your Confidence Too High, Too Low, or Just Right?
Is it possible that you have too much self-confidence?
For many people, the answer to that question is probably not.
People often tend to deal with the opposite problemhaving too little confidence.
Theres nothing wrong with being confident.
Or that you are expressing this confidence in a way that is not helping your health and relationships.
It is easy to become overconfident if we think we know everything there is to know about a subject.
When confidence becomes arrogance, it can alienate others and make it challenging to succeed socially and professionally.
Developing a healthy sense of self-confidence is vital to success.
Such confidence allows people to believe in their ability to overcome challenges and overcome obstacles.
Strive to strike the right balance with a strong sense of self-confidence without the pomposity of egocentrism.
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