Flexing Tends To Have Insecurity And Self-esteem Problems

Illustration (Andrea Piacquadio/Pexels)

JAKARTA - Social psychology expert from the University of Indonesia Dicky C. Pelupessy, Ph.D. considers that people who show flexing behavior or show off wealth on social media tend to have problems with security or insecurity and self-esteem or low self-esteem.

"Actually, if we look at psychological glasses, there is a problem with the person's self-esteem. There is a problem with a sense of security, a sense of comfort, so there is an security which he then looks for compensation," said Dicky when contacted by ANTARA by telephone, Saturday.

In principle, explained Dicky, every human being has self or himself or can be translated into an awareness of himself which is the driving force of a person's behavior. When self-awareness and a sense of appreciation for himself is low, one wants to get recognition and praise that he is better off coming from outside himself or someone else.

Which is a problem, some people feel that flexing can be used as a compensation way to get the confession.

"He tried to compensate by flexing. He thought if, 'I have expensive property, which maybe not everyone can have, limited', he thought it would make him better and greater. Then later, 'I'll get it so I feel safe and comfortable'," explained Dicky.

If a person cannot make peace with himself, then that person will feel anxious constantly, including feeling insecure and humble constantly. If this continues to be piled up, it will cause psychological problems. In order not to get caught up in flexing behavior, according to Dicky, there are at least two things that can be done by applying counter thinking and thinking for a moment before taking action.

First, position yourself as an audience or other person who will see and respond to flexing uploads on social media. Second, look for other ways of compensation that might be done to increase self-esteem other than flexing.

"Think about what, really, how people react when they see me flexing. Are they really going to praise me, make me feel better. Or then actually ordinary people (not praising)," explained Dicky.

According to Dicky, those closest to him can also take part in reprimanding or reminding that flexing behavior does not always lead to praise and will actually get scorn and the public considers it normal.

"If we become close people, it's okay to remind. That 'If you show off your wealth, it doesn't necessarily impress people, maybe even what you get is scorn. And maybe people will think it's something normal'," said Dicky.