In the modern world, the pursuit of approval from others can fill our lives with both light and unexpected shadows.

Illuminations and Shadows: The Dual Nature of Approval Dependency

In the modern world, the pursuit of approval from others can fill our lives with both light and unexpected shadows. Many experts note that the desire to receive positive evaluations is closely related to personality traits inherent in an addictive personality. In delving into this subject, it is important to understand that such a person is often focused on the reactions of others, which inevitably reflects on their inner state.

The core of the research shows that egocentrism—where one’s self-image is determined by external evaluation and emotional states sharply fluctuate depending on others’ opinions—is the cornerstone of this phenomenon. A personality oriented toward external approval can experience emotional surges: sometimes flourishing in moments of high praise, and other times teetering on the edge of collapse as a self-esteem crisis sets in. This emotional instability is accompanied by a lack of confidence in personal decisions, which forces such individuals to constantly seek support through others’ advice and opinions.

In conclusion, it is important to note that dependency on others’ approval can both enrich and overshadow a person’s life. Recognizing one’s own motives and needs helps highlight the importance of internal benchmarks in the search for harmony and balance. Making decisions independently and developing emotional stability can be significant steps toward a fuller, more purposeful life, filled with confidence and self-realization.

Which personality traits contribute to the dependency on others’ approval?

Based on the provided sources, dependency on others’ approval is associated with a number of personality traits characteristic of an addictive personality. The first point emphasized is that this dependency goes hand in hand with pronounced egocentrism, where a person is overly focused on the reactions of others: their emotional state shifts dramatically based on received evaluations, leading to moments of “flourishing” or, conversely, periods of diminished vitality. For example, source “ link txt” states:

"Talking about someone else’s sorrow, one unconsciously talks about oneself: 'I was so shocked, I still can’t recover.' At the same time, there is enormous dependency on others’ approval, on which the person at times suddenly flourishes and at others withers and 'loses steam.' But overall, at this stage, the mood remains bright. This type of egocentrism is very characteristic of youth, although it can also be seen in mature individuals. A person finds happiness if, at this stage, they encounter serious concerns, especially regarding others (marriage, family), work, and labor." (source: link txt)

Furthermore, dependency on others’ approval is manifested in the inability to make independent decisions. The weak autonomy of the personality is underscored in descriptions of the addictive type, which note a lack of confidence in decision-making and a readiness to let others choose for them. This is confirmed in the following excerpt from “ link txt”:

"The basic characteristic of an addictive personality is dependency. To classify a person as belonging to the dependent type, the following characteristics are identified—five of which are sufficient for a clinical dependency diagnosis: the inability to make decisions without others' advice; a readiness to let others make important decisions for them." (source: link txt)

Similar ideas are echoed in other sources, emphasizing the importance of the following aspects:
• Egocentrism, in which external reactions become the measure of one’s own state.
• Emotional instability, manifesting as sharp fluctuations—where a person feels elated one moment and experiences a self-esteem crisis the next.
• A lack of confidence in personal decisions, leading to reliance on the approval, advice, and evaluations of others.

Thus, the personality traits that contribute to the dependency on others’ approval include an excessive focus on external evaluation (egocentrism), the inability to make decisions independently, and emotional instability dependent on the reactions of others.

Supporting citation(s):
"Talking about someone else’s sorrow, one unconsciously talks about oneself: 'I was so shocked, I still can’t recover.' At the same time, there is enormous dependency on others’ approval, on which the person at times suddenly flourishes and at others withers and 'loses steam.' But overall, at this stage, the mood remains bright. This type of egocentrism is very characteristic of youth, although it can also be seen in mature individuals. A person finds happiness if, at this stage, they encounter serious concerns, especially regarding others (marriage, family), work, and labor." (source: link txt)

"The basic characteristic of an addictive personality is dependency. To classify a person as belonging to the dependent type, the following characteristics are identified—five of which are sufficient for a clinical dependency diagnosis: the inability to make decisions without others' advice; a readiness to let others make important decisions for them." (source: link txt)