Common reaction to compliments

Receiving a compliment and responding negatively, such as dismissing it with phrases like "Oh thank you, but I don't think I'm beautiful" or "It's nothing, it took me two minutes," is a common reaction. This behavior often reflects a deeper psychological pattern.

Study links behavior to low self-esteem

According to a 2017 study published in ScienceDirect, titled "Who cannot accept a compliment? The role of mental construction level and self-esteem in the acceptance of positive feedback from close people," this behavior is linked to low self-esteem and self-confidence. The study suggests that individuals with low self-esteem struggle to accept and benefit from compliments.

Challenges in accepting positive feedback

The study indicates that individuals with low self-esteem have difficulty accepting and benefiting from compliments. They can only feel good about a compliment if they do not overthink it or compare it to their negative self-image. This highlights the complex relationship between self-perception and social feedback.

Compliments as a relationship tool

Researchers suggest that one of the ways partners can express positive consideration, a key factor in the success of a relationship, is by giving compliments. However, some people are unable to perceive this positive consideration through compliments, which can affect relational dynamics.

Strategies to improve self-esteem

To accept compliments, it is necessary to boost self-esteem. Tips to strengthen self-image include stopping the minimization of successes, learning to receive compliments with a simple "thank you," and reflecting on whether one would speak to a friend in the same way they speak to themselves.