Entitlement refers to a feeling of deserving certain privileges, benefits, or special treatment based on certain circumstances, such as birthright, status, or social, economic, personal or family achievements.
Entitlement is often used to describe a ‘sense of entitlement’ that is perceived as excessive or unjustified, leading to behaviours that can be seen as demanding or entitled.
What causes a sense of entitlement?
A sense of entitlement can be caused by a variety of factors including:
Childhood Experiences: Growing up in an environment where one’s needs were consistently met and the person is frequently praised and rewarded, even when very little has in face been achieved, can breed an expectation that this pattern of being catered to will continue forever, making the person feel they are entitled.
Social and Cultural Factors: Society and culture can play a role in shaping entitlement by promoting individualism, consumerism, and the idea that people are entitled to certain privileges or advantages simply as a result of who they or their families are in their society.
Personality traits: Certain personality traits, such as low emotional intelligence or high levels of narcissism, can contribute to a sense of entitlement.
Perception of unfairness: A perception that one is not being treated fairly or is entitled to more than they are receiving can also foster feelings of entitlement in order to compensate, or over compensate, for the feeling of being left behind.
It’s important to understand that a sense of entitlement, especially when the entitlement is not earned, is not a mental health disorder, it can be extremely destructive and have negative long term consequences, especially when a sense of entitlement leads to relationship problems, difficulties in social and professional settings and being sidelined by many in society.
Ingrid is a psychotherapist and social worker, with special interest in clinical work & somatic therapies. She is trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing), Brainspotting, TIR (Trauma Incident Reduction), DBT (Dialectical Behaviour Therapy), ACT (Action and Commitment Therapy), CBT (Cognitive Behaviour Therapy) and Hypnotherapy & is registered with SACSSP. To find out more how she can assist & book an appointment, email Ingrid@inneressence.co.za. Sessions are claimable from medical insurance. Please visit her website on http://www.inneressence.co.za.
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