What does it mean to have a sense of entitlement?
A sense of entitlement is a personality trait based on a person's belief that they deserve privileges or recognition for something they have not earned.
People who feel this way tend to believe that the world owes them something but gets nothing in return.
There are many possible reasons why someone may develop a sense of entitlement.
Some people believe that if children get everything they want but don't learn how to get it, it will lead them to expect the same treatment as adults.
On the other hand, certain personality disorders, such as narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) or antisocial personality disorder (ASPD), may cause feelings of entitlement.
signs that someone has a sense of entitlement
A person with a sense of entitlement may come across as extremely confident, or believe they should benefit from any given situation.
When people with a sense of entitlement don't get what they want, they may lash out at others in anger or frustration. Their attitudes may fluctuate frequently, especially when things don't go their way.
This type of behavior may stem from their belief that they should be admired and respected.
Although they may come across as bold personalities or a strong sense of self-confidence, many people with a sense of entitlement may experience personal insecurities. The attention-seeking behaviors they may exhibit can also alienate them from the loved ones in their lives, causing further distress.
Understand the psychology behind a sense of entitlement
There are many theories as to why some people may develop a sense of entitlement. Below, we’ll discuss some of these in depth.
spoiled child
Parents naturally want their children to be happy, confident, and satisfied. This can be a healthy and natural impulse, but when parents make the mistake of always saying "yes" to their children, it can instill a sense of entitlement.
This behavior is often allowed in early childhood and may lead impressionable children to believe that these sacrifices are acceptable patterns and behaviors throughout life.
Children who always get what they want and don't need rewards for good behavior may become adults who expect others to give in to their demands. As adults, they may not know how to communicate effectively with others and may have difficulty forming healthy relationships or maintaining stable employment.
Trying to overcompensate for past mistakes
In some cases, some people develop privileged attitudes after experiencing abuse, unfairness, or neglect.
For example, a child who has been deprived of love and affection may grow up to ask for love and affection from others because they did not receive it when they were young. A teenager who is never selected to an All-Star team may eventually grow up believing that they should coach a team with only the best players, and may become frustrated if someone who is not an outstanding athlete is allowed to join the team.
personality disorder
For some people, feelings of entitlement may be the result of a personality disorder, such as narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) or antisocial personality disorder (ASPD).
Personality disorders are typically characterized by changes in the way you view yourself and others. People with NPD or other personality disorders may view themselves as superior to others, have biases about the value of others, and may not like following rules. They may display a high sense of self-worth or an exaggerated sense of self-esteem.
How does one overcome a sense of entitlement?
There are a variety of strategies people can use to reduce feelings of entitlement and replace them with genuine self-esteem and gratitude. If you know an entitlement-minded person, they might benefit from some of the strategies below, but getting them to work on this can be difficult. Regardless, it may be helpful to keep these strategies in mind as you consider how to interact with them while maintaining your own mental health:
- They can try to stop comparing themselves to others. People with a sense of entitlement may benefit from remembering that they don't need to compete with others and that they can achieve their goals and dreams .
- An entitlement-minded person may benefit from thinking about the goals they want to achieve and making a list of things they are willing to do to achieve those goals.
- It may be important for people with a sense of entitlement to learn not to be discouraged by temporary setbacks. The feeling they get from achieving a goal on their own is likely to be much stronger than if they had achieved something without putting in any significant effort.
- Entitled people may benefit from trying to see things from another person's perspective. This can make doing things feel rewarding simply because they are the right thing to do.
- Trying to live in the present may be helpful for people with a sense of entitlement. How they dealt with past challenges may influence their perspective, but they may learn to live in the present moment rather than identifying with past negative experiences.
- When a person has a sense of entitlement, they may benefit from practicing treating others with respect, compassion, and gratitude. If they are genuinely kind to others and commit themselves to selfless actions without expecting anything in return, others may be eager to return the same kindness to them.
Therapeutic support for rights issues
While the idea of dealing with personal challenges independently can be helpful, sometimes a person may need some support. With the support of a licensed counselor, people with a sense of entitlement may be able to learn ways to change their behavior and interact kindly with others. If you know someone who is entitlement-conscious, they may be hesitant to see a therapist in person. If so, they may be more willing to receive online therapy.
Additionally, it can be challenging to form relationships with entitlement-minded people. It may be helpful for you to talk with a licensed counselor about ways to handle this type of relationship while taking care of your own mental health.
Research shows that online therapy is an effective way to treat a variety of mental health issues. Individuals who develop a sense of entitlement as a result of enduring past trauma may benefit from internet-based treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which has been shown to reduce PTSD severity as well as depression and anxiety within five weeks comorbidities, and these results remained valid three months later.
While personality disorders such as NPD and ASPD are indeed difficult to treat (sometimes due to people with these disorders refusing to seek treatment), those who seek support have found success with online interventions. In a literature review of studies using Internet-delivered interventions for personality disorders, researchers found a number of studies that showed promise in reducing symptoms of personality disorders. Several of the studies involved the use of mobile apps to supplement traditional face-to-face therapy, and participants found the apps useful and feasible.
