Hypocrisy is all around us. Whether it’s a politician caught in a scandal while advocating for family values or a celebrity claiming environmental awareness while jet-setting, there are countless examples of people not practicing what they preach.
While hypocrisy is often seen as merely an ethical failure, recent research suggests it can actually pose subtler health risks as well. Here’s what the science says about how hypocrisy may harm wellbeing when left unchecked.
The Psychological Toll of Doublespeak
Hypocrisy essentially amounts to doublespeak – saying one thing while doing or believing another. This contradiction takes a psychological toll. Studies find the discomfort of maintaining contradictory beliefs, known as cognitive dissonance, can manifest as anger, stress, and irritability.
Hypocrites resolve this discord by finding ways to mentally justify their contradictions. But this disingenuous reasoning wears on the mind and conscience over time. The end result is often cynicism, projections onto others, and lowered self-esteem.
Not only is hypocrisy mentally taxing for those practicing it, it also erodes basic trust when discovered. Other people feel understandably upset at being misled. This can undermine relationships.
Normalizing Unhealthy Behavior
Another danger is the risk of normalizing unhealthy behavior. When public figures we admire engage in hypocrisy it sends the message that their standards don’t really matter – only the image of upholding them.
This can undermine values and ethics. For example, if we chastise drug use but make exceptions for ourselves and friends, it distorts perceptions of acceptable behavior and harms public health messaging.
Similarly, societal hypocrisy on issues like infidelity, corruption, or unsustainable lifestyles makes those behaviors seem more permissible. It greases a slippery slope towards an “anything goes” mentality that removes healthy constraints.
The Immune System Strike Back
Here’s where it gets scary – hypocrisy may even impair physical health. Studies find that the stress, shame, and secrecy surrounding hypocrisy and deception can suppress the immune system.
Living in contradiction with our values raises levels of stress hormones like cortisol while lowering antibodies and natural killer cells that fight infections and cancer. One study found informants who betrayed friends showed severely suppressed immune function.
This suggests the hidden health costs of hypocrisy may be far steeper than we realize.
Loss of Moral Authority and Influence
Finally, widespread hypocrisy corrodes moral leadership and credibility. When leaders contradict their own standards they lose persuasive impact and model poor behavior.
This was on display in politics recently when an outspoken “family values” politician was revealed to have pressured his mistress to have an abortion. The hypocrisy made his stance seem like a sham.
Such examples numb us to real moral authority figures with the courage of their convictions. This breeds cynicism and weakens social cohesion around shared values when hypocrisy goes unchallenged.
What to Do About Hypocrisy
So how should we respond when hypocrisy rears its ugly head? Here are some tips:
Check yourself first. Before accusing others, reflect on any contradictions in your own life between ideals and actions. Clean your side of the street first.
Talk about it safely. Having open, non-judgmental conversations about hypocrisy can alleviate the shame that perpetuates it. But proceed gently.
Align words and deeds. Make incremental changes to better walk your talk. Don’t let perfectionism become an excuse for hypocrisy.
Extend grace, not green lights. Offer compassion when hypocrisy is acknowledged, but don’t pretend it’s totally fine. Maintain standards.
Consider circumstances. Look at why hypocrisy occurred and potential mitigating factors before condemning. But don’t rationalize away integrity.
Set boundaries. You may need to distance yourself from unrepentant hypocrites with toxic patterns if they refuse accountability.
Lead with integrity. Embodying consistency and transparency yourself is the strongest antidote to hypocrisy. Be the change.
While hypocrisy has always been with us, the modern era seems rife with high profile examples across spheres of influence. But with greater awareness of its corrosive impacts, both psychologically and physically, there is hope for renewing consistency between our words, thoughts and deeds. After all, integrity is still its own reward.
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Disclaimer: The information provided in this discussion is for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended as medical or professional advice. Only a qualified health professional can determine what practices are suitable for your individual needs and abilities.