There are an infinite number of situations that can generate a feeling of important well-being and tranquility. When we reach these levels in the development of daily life, it is understandable that we experience constant happiness and joy derived from the action performed. However, in this type of situation, other feelings that conflict with the initial optimism can also come into play. In fact, it is not strange that this happens, since human beings are immersed in a series of internal contradictions that drive conflicting desires. After all, that’s what life is about. Understanding this type of mechanism allows us to establish greater knowledge at a personal level that can be used in various spheres of life.
In this Psychology-Online article we will explain what is guilty pleasure, causes and examples.
What is a guilty pleasure
Guilty pleasure is feeling of well-being for having performed a certain actionbut that causes us concern because we believe that it is something harmful to the person themselves or to third parties.
In other words, this pleasure is based on the belief of having caused discomfort even though one’s action also produces satisfaction. It’s about the manifestation of two opposing emotions because they produce sensations with different meanings.
Why do we feel guilty about something that gives us pleasure?
Sometimes, certain mandates make it difficult for us to access moments of happiness full. As a consequence, this can bring with it the belief that a person has taken an action that caused harm or a negative outcome. It is in these cases that a feeling of guilt arises that is mixed with pleasure.
At the same time, it may also be thought that what was done has not been sufficiently beneficial for that same person or for their environment. The presence of two opposite sensations is part of the characteristics of the human being and has its origin in childhood situations.
Likewise, some theoretical currents maintain that childhood is the period that makes up the greatest number of personality aspects that will manifest during adulthood. In this sense, some traumatic marks can trigger intense feelings of guilt that manifest themselves in pleasant situations. In this article you will find.
Common Guilty Pleasure Examples
In order to provide greater clarity to the theme that we are displaying, mention will be made of some hypothetical situations that make up this pattern. In this section, we will talk about common guilty pleasure examples:
- Foods that are harmful to physical health but are enjoyed: This can include gluttony, sugary drinks, among others.
- Movies and series that have already gone out of fashionbut that still persist in a person’s life
- Spending several hours of personal leisure without doing anything that can be considered productive from a social point of view.
However, despite the description we have made, it is necessary to mention that guilty pleasure will be directly proportional to activities and interests from each person. Factors such as age, sex, traumatic experiences or purchasing power, among others, come into play here.
Is it good to indulge in guilty pleasures?
To answer this question, we must first make some considerations. First, the guilt generated by a specific pleasurable action may be experienced by one person but not by another. For this reason, it is not advisable to generalize the concept of guilty pleasure, since in this way the essence of each human being is lost.
Both guilt and shame They are barriers imposed by the human mind to feel the sensation that there are no decisions that represent total conformity. The ideal would be to avoid the feeling of guilt that arises from specific actions and that prevents us from achieving a state of tranquility. The image that is provided to the outside and that people perceive in the social environment make up possible forms of links that are established.
However, when these are conditions of attitudes, thoughts and emotions that cause deep personal discomfort, internal conflicts arise. Taking this point into account, it is good to let yourself be carried away by guilty pleasures as long as it is possible to reflect about the true essence of the action.
This article is merely informative, at Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.
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Bibliography
- Echeburúa, E., Corral, P., Amor, P. (2001). Coping strategies for feelings of guilt. Behavior analysis and modification, 27 (116), 905-929.