Virtue signalling
an empty act done publicly with the intent of enhancing one's own image
Virtue signalling is when a person (shows or) exhibits behaviour to make themselves look good to others. Usually, this means the person says that they don't like or don't approve of something.[1] For example, a person might talk about political ideas that they know the other people around them agree with.[2][3]
Psychologists Jillian Jordan and David Rand say that even when people feel true anger, they still show it in ways that they think will make them look good to other people. They even do this when they are alone.[3]
According to the Boston Globe, the word "virtue signalling" was used as early as 2004 and became popular in 2015.[1]
References
change- ↑ 1.0 1.1 David Shariatmadari (January 20, 2016). "'Virtue-signalling' – the putdown that has passed its sell-by date". Guardian. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
- ↑ Virtue signalling. Cambridge Dictionary. Retrieved January 21, 2020.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Jillian Jordan; David Rand (March 30, 2019). "Are You 'Virtue Signaling'?". New York Times. Retrieved January 20, 2021.