Other-Directedness - Approval/Recognition Seeking

Question 1

What is approval/recognition seeking?

Answer 1

Excessive importance on gaining approval and recognition at expense of fulfilling core emotional needs and expressing natural inclinations

Habitually focus on reactions of others rather than own so fail to develop stable inner directed sense of self

Question 2

What are the 2 subtypes?

Answer 2

1. Seeks approval and acceptance
2. Seeks recognition and admiration
   (frequently narcissistic-appearance, status, money, achievement)
   Both outwardly focused to feel good about themselves
   Self-esteem dependent on reactions of other people rather than own values and natural inclinations
   Recognition seeking often linked with emotional deprivation

Question 3

Typical behaviours of approval & recognition?

Answer 3

Compliant, people pleasing
Subservient role
Others may feel uncomfortable so eager to please
++emphasis on money, appearance, status, achievement,
In order to feel good about self need approval recognition

Question 4

Often a form of overcompensating for

Answer 4

Defectiveness, emotional deprivation

Question 5

Goals of treatment?

Answer 5

Recognize have an authentic self

Humans are happiest and most fulfilled when expressing authentic emotions and acting on their natural inclinations

Question 6

Cognitive strategies?

Answer 6

Consider cost of approval seeking vs true self

Question 7

Behavioural strategies?

Answer 7

Experience disapproval of others