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Social Authenticity

Student’s First Name, Middle Initial(s), Last Name

Institutional Affiliation

Course Number and Name

Instructor’s Name and Title

Assignment Due Date

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Authenticity is important. You want to be yourself, not a socially enslaved person. You

want to "live your best life" by pursuing your objectives, not what others believe is happy.

Studies suggest authenticity can boost self-esteem, well-being, romantic relationships, and work

effectiveness. Authenticity is hard. Research shows that people feel most authentic when they

comply with socially recognized rates, such as being extroverted, emotionally stable,

conscientious, intelligent, and agreeable. To feel authentic, you may have to betray yourself.

Psychological science defines authenticity as meeting specific requirements. Genuine people are

self-aware and determined to grow (Jongman-Sereno, 2019). They're interested in knowing their

strengths and faults and eager to reflect on feedback, flattering or not honestly.

Authenticity seems linked to conformity. Authentic people act according to their ideals

and qualities, even if they disagree with social conventions or other forces. Introverts are

authentic when they're quiet at dinner parties, even if social etiquette demands otherwise. Several

studies suggest that their distinctive features don't always determine people's feelings of

authenticity. People may think most authentically when their behavior reflects their values and

attributes. In these investigations, participants describe their genuine identities (Steiner &

Reisinger, 2006). After that, individuals complete daily or weekly assessments regarding how

their actions reflect their traits and authenticity.

Compare how much two people avoid arguments. Jane and John are both agreeable. On a

day when each quarrel, Jane should feel less natural than John because she engaged in behavior

conflicting with her distinctive qualities. Despite their personality differences, Jane and John

may feel inauthentic after a fight (Festinger, 1954). Extroverted, emotionally secure,

conscientious, intellectual, and agreeable people report feeling most authentic, according to

study. We think most authentic when we act like the perfect party guest and co-worker.
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Question

What are other signs that may indicate we are struggling to be an authentic person?
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References

Jongman-Sereno, K. P., & Leary, M. R. (2019). The enigma of being yourself: A critical

examination of the concept of authenticity. Review of General Psychology, 23(1), 133-

142. https://doi.org/10.1037/gpr0000157

L. Festinger A theory of social comparison processes Human Relations (1954)

Steiner, C. J., & Reisinger, Y. (2006). Understanding existential authenticity. Annals of tourism

research, 33(2), 299-318. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annals.2005.08.002