In our everyday life, we encounter fascinating psychological mechanisms, and one such phenomenon is the complex state in which inner self-criticism is combined with a demonstrative exaggeration of one’s own importance.

The Paradox of Self-Criticism and Inflated Self-Worth

In our everyday life, we encounter fascinating psychological mechanisms, and one such phenomenon is the complex state in which inner self-criticism is combined with a demonstrative exaggeration of one’s own importance. At first, it seems as though a person either engages in a constant internal dialogue filled with doubts or displays their "uniqueness" in an overt manner to cover up deep-seated insecurity. However, the truth is far more complicated: these two opposing aspects do not simply coexist—they operate in close tandem, undermining the usual mechanism of balanced self-esteem. This condition becomes a kind of trap where real shortcomings and successes are distorted, and one’s self-perception transforms into a fantasy devoid of objectivity. In conclusion, this duality forces a person to walk the tightrope of self-deception, where the genuine perception of oneself is overshadowed by illusory beliefs. This phenomenon is not only intriguing to study but also serves as a reminder of the complex nature of our inner world, requiring a constant pursuit of self-knowledge and acceptance.

How can one characterize a state in which a person experiences self-criticism yet considers themselves superior to others, and what does this indicate about their self-esteem?

This state can be described as a distorted perception of oneself, where internal signs of self-criticism coexist with an externally inflated sense of one’s own importance. In other words, the person experiences inner uncertainty or dissatisfaction with themselves, but at the same time compensates for this by believing they are better than those around them. This indicates a disruption of the normal self-esteem mechanism, where the true state of affairs is replaced by a fantasy of one’s exceptionalism. Such duality reveals that the individual’s self-esteem is unstable and permeated with elements of self-deception: attempts to critically assess one’s shortcomings devolve into a state where imagined virtues are exaggerated.

Supporting citation(s):
"This important self-esteem mechanism is sometimes disrupted, and then the person begins to think of themselves not as they truly are. Usually, those who think too highly of themselves are called dreamers—supposedly imagining that they are better than others. But even those who consider themselves inferior are also engaging in imagination: in reality, they are no less..." (source: link txt)