Is arrogance contageous?

[Gil]

Is it possible to develop arrogance simply by being surrounded by arrogant people? Something I've been wondering lately. :dunno:

 

[Charlie]

Well, possibly.

I mean if you know a lot of arrogant people, you may feel compelled to act arrogantly too.
Just like when people boast about their abilities, people often get competitive, or feel obliged to boast about some of their abilities too.

 

[secretdl26]

I guess it can be. When I'm with a group of my friends who are usually more arrogant, aggressive, or overly confident I kind of take on that attitude a little bit.

It's the same for the opposite; if I am hanging with friends who are more chill and relaxed I'll be more relaxed.

 

[frillyfoxy]

Is it possible to develop arrogance simply by being surrounded by arrogant people? Something I've been wondering lately. :dunno:

Yes, and computer/programming nerds are some of the worst offenders next to art students.

I know this having been on both sides. It is important since half the job of both of those is coming across as being better than your peers even if it isn't true!

 

[Wegs]

Yes, and computer/programming nerds are some of the worst offenders next to art students.

I'm a computer nerd! I'm not arroga... well, maybe a little bit sometimes, but aren't we all?

I think arrogance can be contagious like the people above me have said.

 

[frillyfoxy]

I'm a computer nerd! I'm not arroga... well, maybe a little bit sometimes, but aren't we all?

I think arrogance can be contagious like the people above me have said.

People in general can be arrogant, but working around computers I have never met as many arrogant people anywhere else. Keep in mind It stands out more because while arrogant, they don't know that much. I don't know many arrogant older programmers, but you meet tons of really arrogant guys in support that seem to feel like it is an affront to god that there staff of mac users doesn't know how to run sudo nano on a system file and then to pipe it to grep for searching.

 

[Wegs]

run sudo nano on a system file and then to pipe it to grep for searching.

I didn't understand a word you said

Yeah, I have found some of the most arrogant people to be working at dell.
The wireless system on my new computer wasn't working. I tried using it right next to the signal origin, still nothing. I called Dell Support, and got a woman who assured me I was too far away from the signal origin for it to work S), and when I mentioned I had tried using it next to my computer, she said she got the job for a reason, and told me to get a new wireless device. She then hung up.

 

[h3g3l]

Is it possible to develop arrogance simply by being surrounded by arrogant people? Something I've been wondering lately. :dunno:

Yes, and computer/programming nerds are some of the worst offenders next to art students.

I know this having been on both sides. It is important since half the job of both of those is coming across as being better than your peers even if it isn't true!

Yes. Look at academia. When something like this becomes a group norm, then this is adopted by group members as their norm.

 

[Verscha]

I believe it's possible for any behaviour to be adopted by an individual if everybody around them are doing it. I think it's more a matter of human psychology than anything else.

Although personally, I respond to what I perceive as arrogance and arrogant people with contempt and derision. But contempt is in itself a kind of arrogance, so that would make me arrogant, which would mean that ssssszzzzzzzzzzrrrrrrrrpppp *brain melts*

 

[frillyfoxy]

Yes. Look at academia. When something like this becomes a group norm, then this is adopted by group members as their norm.

Having worked at a college yes, you will never meet so many people who think they know how to do your job even if they have no idea how to do it. Something about getting a PHD makes you insane.

 

[h3g3l]

Having worked at a college yes, you will never meet so many people who think they know how to do your job even if they have no idea how to do it. Something about getting a PHD makes you insane.

Yep.

And it gets worse in central administration (where I've served). It is a stronghold of status quo. It is to the departments what the university is to the world; it is the height of arrogance and hubris - but now with 38% more cluelessness.

*runs away screaming*

 

[dogboy]

I think you find arrogance where you have very professional people. I would guess that the more arrogant a person is, the more insecure they probably feel. I went to a music conservatory, and many of the musicians where extremely arrogant where music was concerned. It seemed like the better the musician, the less arrogance.

 

[h3g3l]

I think you find arrogance where you have very professional people. I would guess that the more arrogant a person is, the more insecure they probably feel. I went to a music conservatory, and many of the musicians where extremely arrogant where music was concerned. It seemed like the better the musician, the less arrogance.

I'd agree with that.

A couple of world-class faculty are also the two most sensitive, caring, and genuine people I've ever met. Not a whiff of arrogance.

There are two things at work, I think:

1. Insecurity;
2. Nothing of great perceived import left to haggle over.

 

[mizzycub]

I imagine it is fully possible. People act like others in a group that they want to be part of, so if people they respect or at least think are doing well in that group are arrogant, they may become more arrogant. Also possible is that they wouldn't actually become arrogant, but would act it around that group of people to fit in.

Something else I have seen was someone who got a reputation for being arrogant when he wasn't. However, because he got this reputation he started being incredibly arrogant, and has gone from someone who used to be my best friend to someone I don't trust at all.

 

[Tsendo]

From my experience the answer is also yes. I think when people act arrogant around me, I find it easiest to respond to that arrogance by acting arrogant myself, though always in a lighthearted and self mocking fashion.

 

[HuskyRye]

No, no, no, no, no! :wallbash: Not unless you let other people control you and your feelings. Be your own person!

 

[Gil]

No, no, no, no, no! :wallbash: Not unless you let other people control you and your feelings. Be your own person!

I was thinking about more on a subconscious level.