‘Reality is often disappointing’ – when Thanos said this, he probably didn’t realise that he might have been unknowingly speaking volumes of truth in countless aspects of today’s society. What is society though? Is it the greater population with shared culture & community structure or an established institution, defining & maintaining its needs and order?
In my opinion, it is, in its unadulterated form, a dynamic and evolving entity, that influences and reflects human behavior, ultimately shaping public policies and cohesion. Society is often called ruthless, unforgiving, unkind, among many other words describing its conduct.
Source:- https://medium.com/an-idea/the-masks-we-wear-8073889c3dc4
The social fabric we all find a bit harsh is not something that grew out of nowhere. What we often overlook is the fact that society is just a culmination of the people, and their ideologies. Primordial practices, influenced by that particular level of understanding of human behavior, may have shaped today’s society. The negative effects of the same, stemming from numerous reasons such as political instability, economic volatility, social unrest, etc., can result in grave consequences such as complete breakdown of social order, loss of cultural heritage, environmental degradation, and many more such issues.
Human behavior is a very intriguing concept that finds its roots in anthropology majorly, with a few roots extending to human psychology and genetically inherited predispositions. Many studies have provided proof that the interaction of fundamental biological factors with peripheral factors impetuses the behavioral development of humans, instead of mutually exclusive events within predefined factors.
Established on the same, an interesting concept is the concept of personality masks. Personality masks are essentially a mode of self-defence mechanisms, which shield the wearer from issues such as societal rejection, the pressure of low self-esteem and confidence, having unconventional or odd opinions on dominated subjects, and often various kinds of abuse, such as physical, mental and emotional as well. They can be attributed to the language, body language, actions, beliefs, facial expressions, etc. Psychologists have studied these in depth and found that there are various kinds of masks that people wear, such as the victim mask, the humour mask, the conformist mask, etc. Let’s explore them in detail:
1.The Victim Mask: It is a psychological concept known as the "martyr or victim mask", which describes a protective mechanism people use to keep their self-esteem intact. When someone wears this mask, they tend to frequently blame the external factors for their shortcomings so as to avoid accountability and acceptance. This may involve blame-shifting on the wider world.
The underlying mechanism is an innate desire to shield one's self-esteem from damage. Accepting blame for mistakes or shortcomings can prove to be challenging, and some individuals may find it easier to externalize this responsibility. By portraying oneself as a victim, there is a perceived sense of innocence or helplessness, which can aid in the maintenance of a positive self-image.
2. The Perfectionist Mask: Another psychological notion that characterises a certain manner people may deal with their fear of failure is the overachieving or perfectionist mask. Certain individuals that wear this mask frequently have been found to have very high expectations of themselves and strive for excellence in a variety of spheres of their lives, including employment, relationships, education, and personal accomplishments.
Although striving for perfection can be viewed as a positive quality, wearing the mask of an overachiever or perfectionist can prove to be damaging to one's mental health. Constant pressure to live up to irrationally high standards result in stress, burnout, and even mental health problems viz. anxiety.
3. The Distant Mask: The term ‘distant/avoidant mask’ describes a protective mental mechanism in which people put on a front or take on behaviors to avoid dealing with difficult circumstances, feelings, or social settings. Individuals who don the avoidant mask frequently try to shield themselves from possible emotional harm, rejection, or criticism. The recognizable factors include social withdrawal, procrastination, conflict avoidance, and self-sabotaging.
It's vital to note that wearing the avoidant mask can have significant consequences for interpersonal as well as intrapersonal well-being. Although associated with providing a temporary sense of safety, it often hinders personal growth, deep connections, and the naturality of self-expression.
4.The Humour Mask: The humour mask is used by people to navigate and manage difficult emotions, situations, or interpersonal dynamics. People put on the humour mask incline towards using wit, humour, or jokes to ease tension, divert attention from grave problems, or avoid facing painful feelings.
They often tend to use tactics such as avoiding discussion on serious issues, denial amalgamated with vulnerability, playing the entertainer in social situations in order to gain validation, etc. Studies have shown that individuals following such patterns may be coping with unaddressed deeper emotions and bottled expressions. Therapy is a viable option to explore for such individuals.
5.The Calm Mask: The term ‘calm mask’ describes a coping strategy in which people, even in the midst of stressful or difficult circumstances, demonstrate the impression of being composed and at ease. This is often associated with the will to control and hide strong feelings to project a calm composure to the outer world. Even though keeping a collected exterior can be helpful, particularly in social or professional contexts, depending too much on this mask can have both advantages and disadvantages.
The positive outlook of this mask may be emotional regulation, i.e., individuals wearing this mask often have been found to excel at keeping their emotional appearances unflustered even in stressful situations. But in the long run, it is better to express to keep a moderately high level of emotional intelligence and also to keep in touch with one’s emotions.
6. The Controlling Mask: A psychological defence mechanism known as the ‘controlling mask’ occurs when people assume a need for control to cope with stress, worry, or feelings of vulnerability. Individuals who wear the mask of control frequently engage in actions meant to impose control over several facets of their environments and lives. Although this mask may find some overlapping with the perfectionist mask, the primary difference lies between the motives and response behavior. Some observable characteristics who wear this mask include difficulty delegating, frequent micro-management, and the fear of uncertainty.
It is important to remember that people can display more than one of these characteristics, and the masks are not exclusive. Furthermore, there may be detrimental effects on one's mental health and general wellbeing from both the controlling and perfectionist masks.
7. The Conformist Mask: When people adopt behaviors, attitudes, or values largely to conform to social norms or the expectations of a specific group, it's known as the conformist mask. ‘If two of us have the same opinions on everything, then one of us is unnecessary.’ Conformists constantly try to fit in and follow the rules above expressing who they truly are, sometimes even at the sacrifice of their true selves. Although social interaction requires some degree of conformity, an over dependence on conformist practices can stifle uniqueness and impede personal development.
The most understandable traits of an individual wearing the conformist mask are desire for acceptance, fear of rejection, lack of authentic expression, loss of individuality and individual expression. It's critical to remember that social engagement often requires some degree of adaptive conformity. But uniformity may be harmful to one's mental health and sense of fulfilment in life if it turns into a mask that stifles uniqueness and genuine expression.
In the complex realm of human interaction, the metaphorical masks we wear serve as shields protecting us from the raw and often challenging realities of society. From the stoic concealment of the calm mask to the absoluteness of the perfectionist semblance, these masks reflect coping mechanisms, defence strategies, and adaptive responses to the complexities of our social world. Whether it's the desire for control, the pursuit of perfection, the need for approval, or the urge to conform, each mask tells a unique story of how individuals navigate the intricate dance between their authentic selves and societal expectations.
However, while these masks may provide temporary relief or a sense of safety, they can also become barriers to genuine connection, self-discovery, and personal growth. Recognizing and understanding the masks we wear is a crucial step toward breaking free from their constraints. In the quest for authenticity, individuals can embark on a journey of self-discovery, peeling back the layers of these masks to reveal the genuine selves beneath. Seeking support, whether through self-reflection, meaningful conversations, or professional guidance, can be subservient in this transformative journey.
Ultimately, the masks we wear are not static; they can evolve, adapt, or be shed altogether. It is through this courageous exploration that we can hope to create a more genuine, compassionate, and understanding society—one where authenticity is not only celebrated but also recognized as the key to profound human connection.
Article by:- Shashank S Japatti
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