Cynicism
Cynicism is an attitude marked by a deep distrust of others' intentions, leading individuals to believe that self-interest and greed drive human behavior. Those who identify as cynics often feel disillusioned, especially after experiencing repeated failures and betrayals, which can result in a belief that only they can be trusted. This mindset can lead to a pessimistic outlook on life, where cynics expect the worst outcomes and may feel hopeless about the future. Historically, the term originates from ancient Greek philosophy, where figures like Antisthenes and Diogenes criticized societal norms and championed simple living, often through provocative truths aimed at societal shortcomings.
In modern psychology, while a moderate level of cynicism can serve as a protective mechanism against being exploited, excessive cynicism may have detrimental effects on health, relationships, and career success. Research indicates that highly cynical individuals can be at a greater risk for various health issues and may struggle to form meaningful connections with others due to their pervasive distrust. Current psychological perspectives suggest that fostering positive emotions and social connections can help mitigate cynical attitudes, promoting a more optimistic and supported approach to life.
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Cynicism
Cynicism is an attitude characterized by distrust of the intentions of others. Cynics, or people who practice cynicism, believe that human beings are motivated by greed and self-interest, and that people will lie, cheat, steal, or engage in any other immoral activity at every opportunity to advance their own positions in life.
Psychologists claim that cynicism arises in individuals when they fail in pursuits to which they have devoted a great deal of effort. These failures can make people feel as though nothing in life holds any meaning. As a result, cynics may trust few people or no one at all, and may constantly regard the world with hostility. Some psychologists assert that cynicism can be healthy in small amounts, as this kind of skepticism about the world can enable people to avoid being taken advantage of by others. Cynicism that has overtaken a person's life, however, can lead to pessimism and depression.
Background
The word cynic derives from an ancient Greek word meaning "dog-like." In ancient Greece, the word was more famously used to refer to adherents of the philosophy known as Cynicism. This philosophy, begun principally by Antisthenes and Diogenes, rejected what were traditionally regarded as the aspects of a successful life: wealth and other luxuries, social prestige, and political influence.
Cynics considered these institutions immoral. They believed that people had to align themselves with nature to live virtuous lives. For the cynics, this meant accepting only the bare necessities they needed to survive. Diogenes, for instance, lived in the streets and acquired food and other necessary provisions by begging. It was said he felt no personal shame in doing this and worked always to simplify his life even further, eventually refusing to eat with utensils. It was for these reasons that philosophers such as Antisthenes and Diogenes came to be called cynics, and their philosophy became known as Cynicism, for people saw them as living like dogs.
The connection between the ancient Greek philosophy of cynicism and the psychological attitude of cynicism of the twenty-first century lies in another aspect of the cynics' way of life—their tendency to speak inconvenient and often repellant truths about the world.
According to the records of contemporary writers, cynics such as Antisthenes and Diogenes were not afraid to call attention to the areas of life they felt needed improvement. They did this through witty remarks or brazen insults. No one was exempt from the cynics' criticism, which could be extended to kings, politicians, and other philosophers. A widely circulated story from ancient Greece claims that Diogenes once rebuked the powerful Macedonian military commander Alexander the Great for standing in his light.
Cynicism, therefore, came to be regarded as a philosophy not only of simple living and virtuousness, but also of impatience with the shortcomings of the human race. It was only many centuries later that the word cynicism was adopted into the English language to refer to the mindset of distrusting the world.
Impact
Cynicism, in the context of psychology, is a way of thinking that involves the belief that people are inherently self-interested and should not be trusted. Cynicism often results from the repeated rejection of one's peers or multiple failures to accomplish set goals. Over time, these negative experiences can lead people to believe that they can trust only themselves, since, to them, anyone who appears to be well-intentioned is probably lying for personal profit. People who apply a certain amount of cynicism to their daily thinking can help themselves view the world realistically and detect others' actual attempts to exploit them. However, individuals who harbor cynical feelings about every life situation over a prolonged period may develop an attitude of pessimism. This is the tendency to expect the worst outcome in any given situation and foster no hope that life will ever improve.
Long-term cynical distrust of the world has been shown to impact people's lives in several negative ways. A 2009 study published in a journal of the American Heart Association asserted that highly cynical people tend to be at higher risk of developing heart disease and cancer, and they live shorter lives than more optimistic people do. This could be because some cynics manage their negative feelings about life by engaging in destructive behaviors such as drinking and smoking, and may feel too hopeless to follow their doctors' recommendations for improving their health.
Too much cynicism can also ruin a person's chances of developing substantive personal relationships with others. Cynicism about other people may result from being betrayed by a formerly trusted confidante. The general distrust of others that develops from that point then becomes a person's defense against being betrayed again. At the same time, this cynicism may prevent the person from forming strong social bonds with anyone ever again.
The American Psychological Association also discovered in a study in the mid-2010s that cynics tend to earn less money in their careers than optimists do. The study claimed this was because cynics avoided collaborating with their coworkers, refused to ask coworkers for help with projects, and did not capitalize on opportunities for professional growth. From poor health to weak personal relationships to stagnant careers, cynicism can create a cycle in which people's mental conditions worsen due to the belief that nothing will improve and no one can be trusted enough to help.
In his book, Hope for Cynics: The Surprising Science of Human Goodness (2024), psychology professor and director of the Stanford Social Neuroscience Lab, Jamil Zaki, challenges the common misconception that individuals labeled as cynics are more intelligent. Zaki asserts that positive thinking, hope, and optimism are more important for personal well-being and societal progress, while cynicism negatively impacts social, mental, and physical health. He defines hope as a cognitive skill that can be practiced and improved by surrounding oneself with positive social connections, practicing mindfulness, and being grateful.
Psychologists recommend cultivating positive emotions about people and the world to reduce cynicism. Instead of focusing on an individual's faults, cynics should acknowledge the person's good qualities, which may help the cynic learn to trust others again. This trust can lead to cynics becoming more open and loving toward themselves and others. Cynics may then use the positive feelings to develop their personal and professional relationships and ultimately improve the quality of their lives.
Bibliography
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