Student Article
The Rise of "Virtue Bullies": How Self-Righteous Shaming Conquered the Internet
Manipulative (adjective): Trying to control or influence others in a dishonest or unfair way.
Perception (noun): The way you understand or think about something.
Subjective (adjective): Based on personal feelings or opinions, not facts.
Cognitive dissonance (noun): The uncomfortable feeling when your actions don’t match your beliefs.
Rationalization (noun): A reason someone gives to explain something they did, even if it’s not the real reason.
Have you ever seen people being mean online?
What is virtue bullying?
Many people claim to uphold strong moral values but often use these beliefs to justify mistreating others. This behavior, known as "virtue bullying," involves attacking others under the guise of moral superiority. Such actions are especially prevalent online, where individuals post seemingly positive messages followed by manipulative statements.
How our memories can fool us
Psychological processes in our brains can lead us to believe we're acting morally, even when we're not. Our biases can distort our memories and perceptions, making us think we're better than we are. Studies have shown that boosting our self-esteem can sometimes involve demeaning others, leading to instinctive virtue bullying.
When disagreements feel personal
Morality is a significant part of our identity and self-worth. When our beliefs are challenged, we may react defensively, sometimes attacking others to protect our self-image. Our sense of fairness and justice is subjective, shaped by personal experiences and societal influences. This subjectivity can lead us to commit cruel acts against those we perceive as cruel, because we think we're upholding our moral standards.
When being right hurts us
Striving to be good is commendable, but it's important to recognize and address our subconscious biases. When our actions don't align with our beliefs, we experience cognitive dissonance, leading us to justify bad behavior by convincing ourselves it's acceptable against those we deem morally wrong. This rationalization allows virtue bullying to continue unchecked.
The real test of goodness
It's crucial to reflect on our actions and ensure they align with our professed values, treating others with the respect and kindness we expect in return.
© Dean Burnett / Our Media
Manipulative (adjective): Trying to control or influence others in a dishonest or unfair way.
Perception (noun): The way you understand or think about something.
Subjective (adjective): Based on personal feelings or opinions, not facts.
Cognitive dissonance (noun): The uncomfortable feeling when your actions don’t match your beliefs.
Rationalization (noun): A reason someone gives to explain something they did, even if it’s not the real reason.