Acceptance

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Combatants accept defeat during World War II Colorful, prisoner of war Fortepan 27271.jpg
Combatants accept defeat during World War II

Acceptance in human psychology is a person's recognition and assent to the finality of a situation without attempting to change or protest it. This plays out at both the individual and societal level as people experience change.

Contents

Types of acceptance

The term acceptance is a noun with various meanings. [1]

Self-acceptance

Self-acceptance is described as the state or ongoing process of striving to be satisfied with one's current self. It is an agreement with oneself to appreciate, validate, and support the self as it is, despite deficiencies and negative past behavior.

Some have trouble accepting themselves because of guilt, trauma, or a perceived lack of motivation. [2] Self-acceptance has an effect on a person mentally, emotionally, within relationships and overall life.

Psychological acceptance

Acceptance is a core element of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). In this context acceptance is process involves actively contacting psychological internal experiences (emotions, sensations, urges, flashbacks, and other private events) directly, fully, without reacting or becoming defensive. The idea is to accept the things one cannot change, such as psychological experiences, but build the courage to change the things one can. [3]

Social acceptance

Social acceptance as described in the Psychology Dictionary as the acceptance of a person into a group and/or the absence of social disapproval. Essentially whether or not a person fits in with their immediate peer group, such as class, colleagues, or cohort.

Social acceptance can be defined as tolerating and welcoming the differences and diversity in others because most people attempt to look and act like others do in order to fit in. [4] Data shows that those with high self-acceptance scores tend to accept others and feel accepted by others. [5] This concerned is heightened for children and teenagers who tend to desire being accepted by friends.

When it comes to mental disorders, social acceptance plays a big role in recovery. Many people do not understand mental illness, so they are unsure of how to embrace people who have a disease, leaving these people with feelings of isolation in friend groups. [6] Being accepted by a friend and having support can help with mental health and give a healthy sense of self. [7]

Public acceptance

Public acceptance is stated as a general agreement that something is satisfactory or right, or that someone should be included in a group. [8]

An example of public acceptance would be the LGBTQ+ community. It is a very important aspect to the movement because it involves understanding, and inclusion of many individuals with different gender identities, and sexual orientation within the public and society in general.

Cultural acceptance

Cultural acceptance is the ability to accept the individual for their cultural beliefs and their principles. This includes religion, cultural language, identity, and their overall beliefs and/or boundaries.

Parental acceptance

Parental acceptance is described as the affection, nurturance, support or simply the love a parent has for that child and the experience the children can gain from it.

Conditional acceptance

Standards specify acceptable and hazardous gaps in infant beds Infant furniture acceptable gaps.svg
Standards specify acceptable and hazardous gaps in infant beds

A type of acceptance that requires modification of the initial conditions before the final acceptance is made, is called conditional acceptance, or qualified acceptance. [9] For instance, in a contract involving two parties, adjustments or modifications may be made to ensure it aligns with the satisfaction of both parties. When a person receives an offer and is willing to agree to it, provided that certain changes are made to its terms or certain conditions or events occur, it is referred to as conditional acceptance. In a business contract between a company and an employer, both parties have the option to change and modify the terms until mutual agreement or acceptance of the contract's details is reached.

Expressed acceptance

Expressed acceptance involves making an overt and unambiguous acceptance of the set conditions. For example, a person clearly and explicitly agrees to an offer. They accept the terms without any changes. [10]

Implied acceptance

Implied acceptance refers to a situation where one's intent to consent to the presented conditions is understood or inferred, even if not explicitly stated. Acceptance is implied by an act that indicates a person's assent to the proposed bargain. [11]

Philosophical inquiry

The article Degrees of Acceptance published in The Philosophical Quarterly academic journal argues that there are three conceptual degrees of into which acceptance can be subdivided [12] :

  1. The first degree of acceptance is based on voluntary control; taking control and letting thoughts or actions be guided accordingly.
  2. The second degree of acceptance is setting aside other potential argument places a point in time
  3. The third degree of acceptance is stated as are subject to norms of practical rationality rather than norms of epistemic rationality

Related Research Articles

Self-esteem is confidence in one's own worth, abilities, or morals. Self-esteem encompasses beliefs about oneself as well as emotional states, such as triumph, despair, pride, and shame. Smith and Mackie define it by saying "The self-concept is what we think about the self; self-esteem, is the positive or negative evaluations of the self, as in how we feel about it ."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Homosexuality and psychology</span> Homosexuality as studied by the field of psychology

The field of psychology has extensively studied homosexuality as a human sexual orientation. The American Psychiatric Association listed homosexuality in the DSM-I in 1952, but that classification came under scrutiny in research funded by the National Institute of Mental Health. That research and subsequent studies consistently failed to produce any empirical or scientific basis for regarding homosexuality as anything other than a natural and normal sexual orientation that is a healthy and positive expression of human sexuality. As a result of this scientific research, the American Psychiatric Association removed homosexuality from the DSM-II in 1973. Upon a thorough review of the scientific data, the American Psychological Association followed in 1975 and also called on all mental health professionals to take the lead in "removing the stigma of mental illness that has long been associated" with homosexuality. In 1993, the National Association of Social Workers adopted the same position as the American Psychiatric Association and the American Psychological Association, in recognition of scientific evidence. The World Health Organization, which listed homosexuality in the ICD-9 in 1977, removed homosexuality from the ICD-10 which was endorsed by the 43rd World Health Assembly on 17 May 1990.

In the psychology of self, one's self-concept is a collection of beliefs about oneself. Generally, self-concept embodies the answer to the question "Who am I?".

Solitude, also known as social withdrawal, is a state of seclusion or isolation, meaning lack of socialisation. Effects can be either positive or negative, depending on the situation. Short-term solitude is often valued as a time when one may work, think, or rest without disturbance. It may be desired for the sake of privacy. Long-term solitude may stem from soured relationships, loss of loved ones, deliberate choice, infectious disease, mental disorders, neurological disorders such as circadian rhythm sleep disorder, or circumstances of employment or situation.

Social stigma is the disapproval of, or discrimination against, an individual or group based on perceived characteristics that serve to distinguish them from other members of a society. Social stigmas are commonly related to culture, gender, race, socioeconomic class, age, sexual orientation, sexuality, body image, physical disability, intelligence or lack thereof, and health. Some stigma may be obvious, while others are known as concealable stigmas that must be revealed through disclosure. Stigma can also be against oneself, stemming from negatively viewed personal attributes in a way that can result in a "spoiled identity".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Social rejection</span> Deliberate exclusion of an individual from social relationship or social interaction

Social rejection occurs when an individual is deliberately excluded from a social relationship or social interaction. The topic includes interpersonal rejection, romantic rejection, and familial estrangement. A person can be rejected or shunned by individuals or an entire group of people. Furthermore, rejection can be either active by bullying, teasing, or ridiculing, or passive by ignoring a person, or giving the "silent treatment". The experience of being rejected is subjective for the recipient, and it can be perceived when it is not actually present. The word "ostracism" is also commonly used to denote a process of social exclusion.

Social isolation is a state of complete or near-complete lack of contact between an individual and society. It differs from loneliness, which reflects temporary and involuntary lack of contact with other humans in the world. Social isolation can be an issue for individuals of any age, though symptoms may differ by age group.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ego-dystonic sexual orientation</span> Psychiatric diagnosis

Ego-dystonic sexual orientation is a highly controversial mental health diagnosis that was included in the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) from 1980 to 1987 and in the World Health Organization's (WHO) International Classification of Diseases (ICD) from 1990 to 2019. Individuals could be diagnosed with ego-dystonic sexual orientation if their sexual orientation or attractions were at odds with their idealized self-image, causing anxiety and a desire to change their orientation or become more comfortable with it. It describes not innate sexual orientation itself, but a conflict between the sexual orientation a person wishes to have and their actual sexual orientation.

Social connection is the experience of feeling close and connected to others. It involves feeling loved, cared for, and valued, and forms the basis of interpersonal relationships.

"Connection is the energy that exists between people when they feel seen, heard and valued; when they can give and receive without judgement; and when they derive sustenance and strength from the relationship." —Brené Brown, Professor of social work at the University of Houston

Self-acceptance is acceptance of self.

In psychology, self-compassion is extending compassion to one's self in instances of perceived inadequacy, failure, or general suffering. American psychologist Kristin Neff has defined self-compassion as being composed of three main elements – self-kindness, common humanity, and mindfulness.

Self-help groups for mental health are voluntary associations of people who share a common desire to overcome mental illness or otherwise increase their level of cognitive or emotional wellbeing. Despite the different approaches, many of the psychosocial processes in the groups are the same. Self-help groups have had varying relationships with mental health professionals. Due to the nature of these groups, self-help groups can help defray the costs of mental health treatment and implementation into the existing mental health system could help provide treatment to a greater number of the mentally ill population.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Belongingness</span> Human emotional need

Belongingness is the human emotional need to be an accepted member of a group. Whether it is family, friends, co-workers, a religion, or something else, some people tend to have an 'inherent' desire to belong and be an important part of something greater than themselves. This implies a relationship that is greater than simple acquaintance or familiarity.

Behavioral theories of depression explain the etiology of depression based on the behavioural sciences, and they form the basis for behavioral therapies for depression.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Well-being</span> General term for condition of individual or group

Well-being, or wellbeing, also known as wellness, prudential value, prosperity or quality of life, is what is intrinsically valuable relative to someone. So the well-being of a person is what is ultimately good for this person, what is in the self-interest of this person. Well-being can refer to both positive and negative well-being. In its positive sense, it is sometimes contrasted with ill-being as its opposite. The term "subjective well-being" denotes how people experience and evaluate their lives, usually measured in relation to self-reported well-being obtained through questionnaires.

Attention seeking behavior is to act in a way that is likely to elicit attention. Attention seeking behavior is defined in the DSM-5 as "engaging in behavior designed to attract notice and to make oneself the focus of others' attention and admiration". This definition does not ascribe a motivation to the behavior and assumes a human actor, although the term "attention seeking" sometimes also assumes a motive of seeking validation. People are thought to engage in both positive and negative attention seeking behavior independent of the actual benefit or harm to health. In line with much research and a dynamic self-regulatory processing model of narcissism, motivations for attention seeking are considered to be driven by self-consciousness and thus an externalization of personality rather than internal and self-motivated behavior. Attention seeking is often caused by threats to one's self-concept and the need for social acceptance. This type of influence on behavior can result in a potential loss of a person's sense of agency, personality disorder and the behavior associated with these conditions.

Flexibility is a personality trait that describes the extent to which a person can cope with changes in circumstances and think about problems and tasks in novel, creative ways. This trait comes into play when stressors or unexpected events occur, requiring that a person change their stance, outlook, or commitment.

Mark Richard Leary is a professor of psychology and neuroscience at Duke University. His research has made significant contributions to the fields of social psychology and personality psychology.

Emotional abandonment is a subjective emotional state in which people feel undesired, left behind, insecure, or discarded. People experiencing emotional abandonment may feel at a loss. They may feel like they have been cut off from a crucial source of sustenance or feel withdrawn, either suddenly or through a process of erosion. Emotional abandonment can manifest through loss or separation from a loved one.

Interpersonal acceptance-rejection theory (IPARTheory), was authored by Ronald P. Rohner at the University of Connecticut. IPARTheory is an evidence-based theory of socialization and lifespan development that attempts to describe, predict, and explain major consequences and correlates of interpersonal acceptance and rejection in multiple types of relationships worldwide. It was previously known as "parental acceptance-rejection theory" (PARTheory). IPARTheory has more than six decades of research behind it, therefore, in 2014, the name was changed to "IPARTheory" because the central postulates of the theory generalize to all important relationships throughout the lifespan.

References

  1. "Acceptance". merriam-webster.com. 21 December 2023.
  2. Goff, Ashley (2010-09-22). "The Mindful Path to Self-Compassion: Freeing Yourself from Destructive Thoughts and Emotions Christopher K. Germer New York: The Guilford Press, 2009. pp. 306. £10.95 (pb). ISBN: 978-1-59385-975-6". Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy. 39 (1): 126–127. doi:10.1017/s1352465810000615. ISSN   1352-4658. S2CID   147229080.
  3. Moran, DJ. "Acceptance: A Core Process in the ACT Hexagon Model". Psychotherapy Academy. Retrieved 15 December 2023.
  4. Wüstenhagen, Rolf; Wolsink, Maarten; Bürer, Mary Jean (May 2007). "Social acceptance of renewable energy innovation: An introduction to the concept" (PDF). Energy Policy. 35 (5): 2683–2691. doi:10.1016/j.enpol.2006.12.001. ISSN   0301-4215.
  5. Fey, William F. (March 1955). "Acceptance by others and its relation to acceptance of self and others: a revaluation". The Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology. 50 (2): 274–276. doi:10.1037/h0046876. ISSN   0096-851X. PMID   14366895.
  6. Witvliet, Miranda; Brendgen, Mara; van Lier, Pol A. C.; Koot, Hans M.; Vitaro, Frank (1 November 2010). "Early Adolescent Depressive Symptoms: Prediction from Clique Isolation, Loneliness, and Perceived Social Acceptance". Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology. 38 (8): 1045–1056. doi:10.1007/s10802-010-9426-x. ISSN   1573-2835. PMC   2964501 . PMID   20499155.
  7. Cleary, Michelle; Lees, David; Sayers, Jan (2018-03-04). "Friendship and Mental Health". Issues in Mental Health Nursing. 39 (3): 279–281. doi:10.1080/01612840.2018.1431444. ISSN   0161-2840. PMID   29465280. S2CID   3428832.
  8. "acceptance". Cambridge Dictionary.
  9. Richards, Jerald (1995). "Gandhi's Qualified Acceptance of Violence". Acorn. 8 (2): 5–16. doi:10.5840/acorn1995822. ISSN   1092-6534.
  10. Grover, Kristin W.; Miller, Carol T. (March 2012). "Does Expressed Acceptance Reflect Genuine Attitudes? A Bogus Pipeline Study of the Effects of Mortality Salience on Acceptance of a Person With AIDS". The Journal of Social Psychology. 152 (2): 131–135. doi:10.1080/00224545.2011.593589. PMID   22468415. S2CID   39135796.
  11. Bowerman, William R. (April 1973). "Attribution of Responsibility Implied in a Notice of Acceptance or Rejection". Psychological Reports. 32 (2): 467–472. doi:10.2466/pr0.1973.32.2.467. ISSN   0033-2941. S2CID   143613527 . Retrieved 22 June 2022.
  12. Dinges, Alexander (2022-06-03). "Degrees of Acceptance". The Philosophical Quarterly. 72 (3): 578–594. doi:10.1093/pq/pqab060. ISSN   0031-8094.

Bibliography