To ask what the psychology is behind virtue signalling?

[chrisevans]

Is it a low self esteem thing?

Is it that the person is actually a good person but likes recognition?

Is it trying to be inspiring to others?

I know people get annoyed by it, the whole I just donated ..... announcements but what is it about the donator that they are trying to achieve or what is the psychology behind it?

Personally you carry on telling us about your good deeds and good for you, but I am interested to know thoughts on the above.

Approval, admiration maybe?

It is doing something, without actually doing anything.

I think for some it's low self esteem and needing validation and then there are those who are just extremely arrogant with no self-awareness.

I haven’t studied it - but I suspect it’s a lot to do with safety. A strident group loudly vocalises what is Right Think with underlying menaces about what will happen if you don’t toe the party line.

And also it’s just a lazy way of showing your in the cool gang

Making yourself feel better about the fact you aren’t actually prepared to take action which might inconvenience yoursekf by displaying how active you are in doing the right thing.

Depends what. Rescuing animals, cleaning up beaches... cool. Feeding the homeless on camera - bloody embarrasing.
And don't even get me stated on pronouns in twitter bio or syringe icons.

Insecurity and needing the validation of others.

Its not really associated with low esteem at all.

It's generally done by those who rather overestimate their own uniqueness and significance and importance.

It's a narcissistic trait to boast of one's merits, skills, possessions or qualities, even when they aren't remarkable.

Having the moral high ground which is something women in particular are invested in. Women are conditioned to be compliant and ”a good person”, “kind”, “nice” etc

A lot of it is tribal and in-crowd status signalling. Virtuous causes are often a stealth way of showing you know what the cool kids care about.

That’s if you are talking about proper virtue signalling ie hollow signals without any substance. Some people genuinely do care about the causes they signal. It’s not always clear where the line is.

I am interested in this also, as a lapsed at times quite evangelical Christian growing up it was definitely emphasised you should not gloat or publicise about doing a good deed as it wouldn’t count in heaven because you had already got the reward of recognition of a good deed on earth.
I am now more out the other side of believing angels come down to secret shopper test you that are treating the homeless or needy as Jesus but not making a big deal about it.
So I kind of wonder if the early church founders were also just as pissed off with all the boastful do gooders and that’s why they taught this.

The ones I know want to be seen to be on The Right Side of History. It's vitally important to them that everyone knows that they're "good" or "right". It's also part of fitting in with their group of friends. One of them sends up the Bat Signal virtue signal flare and the others come around to pat her on the back with likes, hearts, etc. Then it's the next person's turn to pipe up and be told what a good person they are, round and round, in an endless loop.

Usually employed by people if they feel shown up. So someone challenges someone, however gently, over an ill judged comment or action and they are virtue signalling. Like nothing is ever done in good faith, always an ulterior motive, to look good or whatever. Maybe ask why people can't take criticism, or are so cynical about others motives. Says a lot about people nowadays. Mainly a lazy rightwing description like snowflake or woke, used far too often so has become meaningless. Other views are welcome.

theinternationalpsychologyclinic.com/the-psychology-behind-likes-on-instagram-why-social-media-are-affecting-your-brain/

In short, "likes" are addictive, virtue signalling is an easy way to get them.

They crave praise and validation in equal measures I think.

It's often an acceptable way to harass and bully others. Popular with unimaginative, low-empathy people who think they are better than everyone else - all the wankers announcing on their social media that they are going into voluntary lockdown (with zero understanding of it simply not being possible for large numbers of others to do the same); all the wankers going on about frugal cookery etc with zero understanding that large numbers of others can't store or transport enormous sacks of spuds or freeze multiple portions of soup; all the wankers doing utterly pointless 'awareness-raising' stunts like dressing in puce for a week or sleeping in a cardboard box despite having a comfortable home, for stuff everyone else is perfectly aware of...

Laziness, basically. Virtue signalling is about trying to show what a good person you are, without actually going to the bother of doing anything.

An interesting question! I've often wondered this too. I agree that the signaller gets something they need from it in terms of feedback, and the reasons are varied. I've unfollowed a couple of people who do this on FB (e.g.) as it tends to be their SM "style" but have noticed they don't do it in real life...

I think for some it's low self esteem and needing validation and then there are those who are just extremely arrogant with no self-awareness.

Agree

Tbh I find the whole vanity/narcissistic side of SM quite strange. In real life people dislike vanity or bragging etc but on social media it's not seen as a negative.

Ffs what a load of miserable feckers. So people can't discuss frugal cookery because it might offend poor people. Or talk about saving fuel to be environmentally friendly because some poor soul can't afford to heat their home. Or talk about buying an electric car because they are expensive. Some people have got a massive chip on their shoulders and begrudge anyone doing anything. So was Captain Tom a virtue signalling wanker then ? All just a big stunt to make himself look good then ?

I think it depends whether the 'virtue signalling' is backed by any meaningful action. I post on social media about my environmental projects because I think people often have an attitude that one person can't make a difference, so they don't bother. But if I 'advertise' what I'm doing, I hope folk will realise that we can all make a difference in a small way, and the small acts together add up to big change. My posts are intended to give people hope and inspire action.

Similarly, folk might post about donating to their local food bank or helping at a shelter for homeless people because they hope other people will be inspired to help too, rather than seeking praise or affirmation.

But there are also people who share some celebrity's post about the latest woke issue without actually doing anything useful to help the people who need it, and then expect to be told how great they are to care.

In my mind, virtue signalling isn't backed up by any action, it's just a meaningless show on social media. But I suspect that most people who post about the real action they are taking on causes that are important to them are trying to raise awareness and bring about change, not get a virtual round of applause.

@Zeebrazebra

Ffs what a load of miserable feckers. So people can't discuss frugal cookery because it might offend poor people. Or talk about saving fuel to be environmentally friendly because some poor soul can't afford to heat their home. Or talk about buying an electric car because they are expensive. Some people have got a massive chip on their shoulders and begrudge anyone doing anything. So was Captain Tom a virtue signalling wanker then ? All just a big stunt to make himself look good then ?

No I think there's a difference between expressing an opinion or campaigning for change or sharing tips and 'virtue signalling which is about making everyday acts like giving blood, buying a homeless person a hot drink or giving to charity into Big Events with a narrative and images.

It is precisely the lack of self awareness inherent in the act of talking about giving blood (for example) as if you have endured some special and unique torture that makes virtue signalling distasteful. It makes the author the star and hero and in doing so detracts from those in need or suffering.

In my mind, virtue signalling isn't backed up by any action, it's just a meaningless show on social media.

I tend to think the same too. It's annoying when done by individuals but downright cynical, deceitful and opportunistic when done by corporations.