Hypocrisy: The world is full of it.
In today’s world, hypocrisy is rampant and alive in every corner of society. Everywhere we look, we are met with double standards, the need for perfection, and selective application of rules. We naturally judge and condemn those who commit the same acts that we engage in, while expecting a free pass ourselves. Hypocrisy is a powerful force behind many of our relationships, enabling us to make judgments and decisions that can be better understood when looked at through the lens of hypocrisy. Despite the fact that the majority of people in the world are genuine, there are some who are hypocrites of varying extent. As Harry C. Boyte and Nancy N. Kari state, "when...facts and principles themselves appear to be in conflict with commitments to values, values trump facts and principles, leading to a fateful synthesis of piety and hypocrisy" (18). These people often say one thing, but do another. In other words, they say they are dedicated to the truth but are more concerned with expressing their own agendas. This conflict between truth and agendas propels the hypocrisy to the forefront. To avoid this kind of behavior, it is important to make sure that our actions are in alignment with our words.
Hypocrisy is a pervasive issue in society today. People often project a public image that does not accurately reflect their private behavior (Mason, 2017). This disconnect creates an atmosphere of mistrust and tension in many social circles. Those who are subject to hypocrisy often feel lied to, intimidated and alienated (Lipsky et al, 2017). It can also lead to feelings of paranoia, as people may begin to question the motives behind every action and decision. This can create a hostile environment, as people may become suspicious and guarded of each other. Therefore, it is important to recognize hypocrisy in social interactions and be wary of its effects (Key, 2019).
The prevalence of hypocrisy in our society is undeniable: according to a study conducted by a team of scientists led by psychologist Robert Feldman at the University of Massachusetts, "more than 60 percent of [those surveyed] engaged in direct hypocritical behavior" (Feldman et al. 5). This research suggests that it can be incredibly difficult to tell when an individual is actually being authentic and when they are deceitfully giving us the facade of being truthful. To make matters even more complicated, some people are so adept at covering up their true feelings and intentions that it is practically impossible to tell whether or not they are being honest (Feldman et al. 3). If we want to create an atmosphere of real and genuine understanding and trust, it is essential that we work towards recognizing deception and rebuke lies when we hear them.
People are hypocritical because they don't live entirely according to the values they preach (Corlett, 2003). Hypocrisy is a natural part of the human condition, and it may even serve a social purpose (Amorin, 2017). It can be used to maintain social cohesion, handle complex social situations and protect privacy (BN, 2017). Furthermore, hypocrisy is sometimes necessary or the right thing to do; for example, a person may choose to remain silent on a controversial issue rather than voicing an unpopular opinion. Hypocrisy may also be a form of self-control and self-acceptance (Kalishing, 2019). Ultimately, it's important to recognize hypocrisy as a complex phenomenon, and one that should be navigated carefully when making decisions.
References:
Amorin, L. (2017, December 22). The surprising benefits of hypocrisy. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/meaning-in-the-little-things/201712/the-surprising-benefits-hypocrisy
BN, S. (2017, December 24). The surprising truth about hypocrisy. Psychreg. https://www.psychreg.org/surprising-truth-about-hypocrisy/
Corlett, J. A. (2003). Hypocrisy: Moral disguise in the eighteenth century and beyond. Bloomsbury Publishing.
Kalishing, J. (2019, November 8). The benefits of hypocrisy. Psychology Discourse. https://psychologydiscourse.org/the-benefits-of-hypocrisy/
Hypocrisy is a trait that can be found in every corner of the world. It is defined as “the practice of claiming to have higher standards or more moral beliefs than is the case.” Hypocrisy is a harmful behavior as it defeats the concept of living an honest life and sets wrong examples to society. It is essential that everyone is held accountable for their words and actions to help prevent hypocrisy in the world. People must be mindful of their words and aware of how their behavior is impacting others to make sure that everybody is conducting themselves without hypocrisy in the world.
Key, C. (2019, March 29). Why do people act one way but think another? Understanding hypocrisy. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/christopherchairmonte/2019/03/29/why-do-people-act-one-way-but-think-another-understanding-hypocrisy/#5a3b483752ba
Lipsky, D., Holtzman, N., Dahan-Oleh, H., & Halperin, E. (2017). The prevalence of hypocrisy in social interactions. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 146(9), 1317-1330. https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2017-51665-001
Mason, M. (2017, July 7). What is hypocrisy? Definition, examples and how to avoid it in your own life. The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/what-is-hypocrisy-definition-examples-and-how-to-avoid-it-in-your-own-life-80452
