Can you take a compliment well?
According to a survey conducted by TODAY and AOL, most adults have mastered the delicate art of responding to praise.
While many of us may squirm when we receive recognition, the results found that the majority of us still respond appropriately. Approximately 81 percent of adults give a polite "thank you," which is the most accepted reaction when it comes to being given a compliment. Only 7 percent of adults respond with self-deprecating statements, such as "I thought I looked terrible," and women were actually a little more likely to be comfortable with the admiration than men.
The survey, which examined body image and its emotional response, also found that most teens accept compliments in a positive way -- 82 percent of teens respond with a "thank you," compared to only 7 percent who react with an insult about themselves. Approximately 17 percent of teens reply with surprise.
The results are refreshing considering the usually negative culture concerning body image. In a blog post written for Psychology Today, psychologist Guy Winch explains why some are more receptive to a compliment compared to others who are more averse to the positive feedback:
[R]eceiving praise from others when we feel negatively about ourselves elicits discomfort because it conflicts with our existing belief system. If we believe we’re truly undesirable, hearing compliments about how attractive we are will feel jarring and inauthentic. If we believe we’re unintelligent, someone lavishing us with praise about how smart we are will feel more like a taunt than a compliment. And if we’re convinced we’re incapable of success, receiving praise about our how capable we are can feel like a set-up for future heartbreak and disappointment.
Check out the slides below to see where other responses to compliments ranked in the survey:
To view the methodology of the survey, head over to TODAY. For the full results, head to AOL.
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