The Dark Depths of Self-doubt: New study looks into the extensive and damaging effects of not trusting yourself
A recent study by PsychTests.com indicates that people who experience frequent self-doubt not only distrust their skills, they also have an extremely pessimistic attitude, struggle to express their feelings, and have a deep sense of self-loathing.
MONTREAL, Sept. 18, 2021 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- It's hard to imagine someone like Michelangelo distrusting his mad skills, even for a moment. However, the sculptor of David and the painter of the fresco in the Sistine Chapel apparently produced and then set fire to some of his creations. Leonardo da Vinci, Francis Bacon, Louise Bourgeois, and Monet also destroyed or chose to never finish certain artworks. Much like the tendrils of a vine, self-doubt can infiltrate the mind and tear apart the very foundation on which a person has built his or her accomplishments, rendering years of knowledge and practice seemingly useless. And according to research from PsychTests.com, trying to navigate the world in a cloud of self-doubt is like running through a medieval gauntlet without armor: really challenging and terribly painful.
Analyzing data collected from 12,259 people who took the Emotional Intelligence Test, PsychTests' researchers compared people who experience frequent self-doubt (Self-doubters) to those who don't (Self-believers). Here's what their study revealed:
NOT SURPRISINGLY, SELF-DOUBTERS DON'T TRUST THEMSELVES OR THEIR KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS
> 54% don't feel confident about a decision unless it's approved by other people (compared to 7% of Self-believers).
> 66% panic when given a task that is even just slightly outside their comfort zone (compared to 9% of Self-believers).
> When they are not good at something right away, 36% would rather quit than spend more time and effort trying to improve (compared to 6% of Self-believers).
> 59% start projects or goals they never finish (compared to 8% of Self-believers).
> 33% back down from challenges (compared to 3% of Self-believers).
SELF-DOUBTERS ARE MORE LIKELY TO HAVE LOW SELF-ESTEEM AND TO STRUGGLE WITH IMPOSTER SYNDROME
> 65% are harshly self-critical when they make a mistake or fail (compared to 5% of Self-believers).
> 65% find it difficult to accept compliments (compared to 16% of Self-believers).
> 31% feel they don't deserve any of the success they have attained (compared to 4% of Self-believers).
> 63% downplay their achievements (compared to 14% of Self-believers).
> 74% are afraid that that people will discover their "lie" and find out that they are not as skilled as they make themselves out to be (compared to 7% of Self-believers).
SELF-DOUBTERS TEND TO BE PESSIMISTIC AND GENERALLY UNHAPPY
> 72% have a tendency to expect the worst of situations or people (compared to 15% of Self-believers).
> 68% prefer not to get their hopes up so that they don't end up disappointed (compared to 15% of Self-believers).
> 62% lack a sense of purpose, and feel like they are just going through the motions (compared to 9% of Self-believers).
> 72% are terrified of the future (compared to 15% of Self-believers).
> 55% see their life as being one problem after another (compared to 7% of Self-believers).
> 80% tend to over-analyze situations, creating problems that don't exist (compared to 20% of Self-believers).
SELF-DOUBTERS TEND TO HIDE THEIR FEELINGS AND DESIRES
> 57% are not comfortable sharing their feelings (compared to 22% of Self-believers).
> 62% hold back from expressing their ideas for fear of being ridiculed (compared to 6% of Self-believers).
> 72% don't feel comfortable asking for what they want, even if they feel they deserve it (compared to 21% of Self-believers).
> 64% are conflict-avoidant (compared to 19% of Self-believers).
"The qualms that arise as a result of self-doubt can become so ingrained that they become part of your personality," explains Dr. Ilona Jerabek, president of PsychTests. "For example, you might have doubts about your public speaking skills, perhaps brought on by a bout of stage fright, or a bad experience during a presentation. You start to become fearful every time you have to give a speech, and the stress may negatively affect your performance. If you allow these doubts to take hold, then you will convince yourself that you are simply not good at public speaking, and avoid any jobs or opportunities in which this skill is required. And from what we have learned from our study, self-doubt can permeate all aspects of your life and hold you back from living fully."
"To overcome self-doubt, you need to learn to challenge the assumption that you are incapable of accomplishing what you set out to," continues Dr. Jerabek. "What proof do you have that you are incompetent? Even if your excuse is, 'I have tried this before and failed miserably,' that doesn't mean you are always doomed to fail. Be gentle with yourself. Remind yourself that you are human, that you are allowed to make mistakes, and that the best you can do is learn from them. Celebrate your achievements, no matter how small, and don't compare yourself or your accomplishments to other people. Don't allow self-doubt to cloud your judgement or dictate how you should live your life."
Want to assess your EQ? Check out the Emotional Intelligence Test at: https://testyourself.psychtests.com/testid/3979
Professional users, such as HR managers, coaches, and therapists, can request a free demo for this or other assessments from ARCH Profile's extensive battery: http://hrtests.archprofile.com/testdrive_gen_1
To learn more about psychological testing, download this free eBook: http://hrtests.archprofile.com/personality-tests-in-hr
About PsychTests AIM Inc.
PsychTests AIM Inc. originally appeared on the internet scene in 1996. Since its inception, it has become a pre-eminent provider of psychological assessment products and services to human resource personnel, therapists and coaches, academics, researchers and a host of other professionals around the world. PsychTests AIM Inc. staff is comprised of a dedicated team of psychologists, test developers, researchers, statisticians, writers, and artificial intelligence experts (see ARCHProfile.com).
Media Contact
Ilona Jerabek, Ph.D, PsychTests AIM Inc., 5147453189, [email protected]
SOURCE PsychTests AIM Inc.
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