What leads to snobbery? (part two)

To do a good job, I should put my “Shrink Hat” on, but I can’t find it anywhere! Right, snobbery is usually rooted in a mix of psychology, insecurity, and social conditioning. Most of the time, it begins with insecurity and low self-esteem. That’s often the primary driver. 

By putting others down or elevating oneself, a snob attempts to feel more secure and important. It's a defense mechanism to mask their own vulnerabilities or doubts about their worth. Besides that, there’s also a desire for status and belonging, we’re all social creatures, and the desire for rank, acceptance, and belonging is powerful. 

Snobbery can be a misguided attempt to secure a place in a desired social group or climb a perceived social ladder. The trait can either be inherited or learned. Some can learn snobbish behaviors from their environment, families, or peer groups. If they grew up in an environment where status and judgment were highly valued, they might adopt similar attitudes. A lack of empathy also acts a fertile ground for turning into snob with a reduced ability to understand or share the feelings of others. 

It then becomes a lot easier for snobs to dismiss or belittle people without feeling much remorse. Then, when people are ignorant, narrow-minded, have limited perspective, believe that their ways of doing are just superior instead of different, they become intolerant of alternative views. 

To close that list, snobbery can also be a form of compensation for perceived lack in other areas of life; for instance people struggling professionally might overcompensate by being a snob about their hobbies or tastes. Similarly a deep fear of not blending in or not being special can lead to a desperate need to differentiate oneself, often by highlighting what others lack. 

In the next blog, we’ll explore practical ways we can live with snob without getting too much aggravated...