Internet detectives are never asleep and will ruthlessly expose people sharing what they thought applied to others, yet in reality, unknowingly described themselves. Whether the subject matter delves into politics, human rights, or any topic in between, these posts haven’t gone unnoticed and were shared on the subreddit r/SelfAwarewolves.
Today, we have collected examples of people confidently sharing their thoughts, only to be humbled by the people in this online community. Or worse, remain ignorant of their mistakes. Either way, let us know your opinions on these claims and which ones made your eyes roll the most.
To learn more about self-awareness, Bored Panda reached out to Dr. Kinga Mnich, a social psychologist, who kindly answered our questions. Read the full interview below.
#1 So, So Close
Image credits: Almyar
#2 Yep, You Got It!
Image credits: CapitalCourse
#3 You Had The Chance Dumba*s
Image credits: DaFunkJunkie
Nowadays, there are more self-aware people than ever before, making it easier to spot those lacking this essential trait. Dr. Kinga Mnich has delved deeper into the significance of self-awareness, shedding light on its importance.
“Self-awareness is a central concept in social psychology, referring to the ability to recognize and understand one's thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Self-awareness involves reflecting on one's motivations, beliefs, and values, and being mindful of how one's actions may affect oneself and others. This is especially important in the context of online interactions, where the dynamics of virtual communication are quite different from face-to-face conversations. The lack of self-awareness in online interactions often enables people to bluntly attack others without being aware of the consequences. Sometimes content can be internalized as one's own belief system due to exposure without reflection.”
#4 Gee, Why Hasn’t Anyone Ever Thought Of This?
Image credits: DaFunkJunkie
#5 Why Are Only Pastors Being Arrested, And Not Drag Queens? The Op Nearly Got It
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#6 So Close
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Now, knowing that we cannot evolve further as people in life without at least a bit of self-awareness, we asked how individuals can develop and maintain mindfulness. Dr. Kinga Mnich replied: “Self-awareness is about understanding oneself, one’s strengths, weaknesses, and motivations. It involves looking inward to understand better how you can improve yourself and your relationships with others. The easiest way to start becoming self-aware is by taking more breaks before responding to something and asking yourself questions such as: Why am I thinking this? Am I really feeling this? What am I feeling? How is this connected to my values and beliefs?”
Also, to learn more about the differences between self-awareness and narcissism, feel free to read Dr. Kinga Mnich’s blog post.
#7 So Close Yet So Far
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#8 Huh, That’s An Odd Coincidence
Image credits: reddit.com
#9 They’ve Finally Come Around Full Circle!
Image credits: reddit.com
It can be funny, sad, or even infuriating to see people so unaware of their actions that they manage to project on other people. Dr. Kinga Mnich sheds light on the underlying causes behind such behavior.
“There are several psychological mechanisms and biases that cause people to unconsciously project their own traits or behaviors onto others while remaining unaware of their own actions. One such mechanism is projection bias, where individuals attribute their own thoughts, feelings, or motives to others without realizing it. This happens because people tend to assume that others think and feel the same way they do. Unfortunately, this bias can also lead to intolerance and discrimination because personal thoughts and beliefs are being understood as the only reality and truth.
Another contributing factor is cognitive dissonance, which occurs when individuals feel uneasy due to holding conflicting beliefs or attitudes. To reduce this discomfort, they may project their own undesirable traits onto others to maintain a sense of consistency in their self-image.”
#10 Seatbelts Are Nothing Like Vaccines
Image credits: reddit.com
#11 Almost Like Your Political Side Is Against This Very Idea
Image credits: SkepticDrinker
#12 So Close
Image credits: ArTooDeeTooTattoo
And lastly, Dr. Kinga Mnich shared how the phenomenon of being "called out" or "exposed" for lacking self-awareness influences individuals' subsequent behavior or attitudes toward self-reflection and introspection: “It can go either way. It can lead to a moment of awakening and desire to learn more about themselves. Or it can increase the subsequent behavior because someone feels shamed and pressured.”
#13 Inject It Straight Into My F**king Veins
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#14 Cancel Them All!
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#15 Lol Yup He Nailed It
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#16 Dad Who Fought To Have Lgbtq Books Removed From School Arrested For Child Molestation
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#17 Conservative Accidentally Works Out Why "Ant-Gun Liberals" Want Gun Control
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#18 Now You're Getting It
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#19 A Curriculum Only A Mother Could Love
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#20 I Wonder Why
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#21 Twitter User Complains About Wife’s Green Card Marriage. Meanwhile At The Border
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#22 Christian Homophobe Complaining About "Lgbt Propaganda" Asks How We'd Feel About Christians Pushing Their Religion On Others Unasked
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#23 “Race Is Not Skin Deep.”
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#24 Do You Read What You Write Before You Post It?
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#25 I Don't Know Where To Start With This One
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#26 Yes, We Should
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#27 I Don't Even Have Words For This Level Of Stupid
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#28 This Speaks For Itself Really
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#29 Why Are People So Mean?
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#30 Anti-Trans Campaigner Is Made To Feel Unwelcomed By Symbols Of Inclusivity
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#31 Conservatives React To "Lightyear" Being Banned In Saudi Arabia
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#32 You Are So Close
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#33 “Everyone Else’s Money Made My Life Possible. I, Of Course, Oppose This For Everyone Else”
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#34 The "Facts Don't Care About Your Feelings" Crowd Being On Brand Af
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#35 Why Aren’t The Gop Leftist?
Image credits: Complete-Grab-5963