When Familiarity Leads to Contempt: Why We Take People and Things for Granted
We have all heard the phrase “familiarity breeds contempt” but have you ever thought about why this happens? The truth is, when we become familiar with someone or something we often start to take them for granted, leading to the development of negative feelings over time. In this article, we take a closer look at why this phenomenon happens and how we can prevent it.
The Science of Familiarity
Research has found that familiarity can often decrease liking and lead to negative feelings towards a person or thing. This is because, with familiarity, we start to notice flaws and imperfections that we might not have seen before. Additionally, we tend to pay less attention to things that we are familiar with, leading to a lack of appreciation for their value.
Studies have shown that this effect is particularly strong in close relationships. When we become too familiar with our partner, we can start to take them for granted, leading to a decrease in satisfaction in the relationship. Similarly, when employees become too familiar with their job or workplace, they can start to lose motivation and become dissatisfied.
Breaking Out of the Familiarity Trap
So, how can we prevent familiarity from leading to contempt? Firstly, it’s important to be mindful of the things and people in our life that we might be taking for granted. Taking time to appreciate their value and expressing gratitude can go a long way in preventing negative feelings from developing.
Secondly, it’s important to constantly challenge ourselves to see things in a new light. For example, by trying a new activity with our partner or approaching a task at work from a different angle, we can prevent ourselves from falling into a routine and becoming too familiar with the situation.
The Bottom Line
Familiarity can be a double-edged sword. While it can provide a sense of comfort and security, it can also lead to negative feelings over time. By being mindful of this phenomenon and making a conscious effort to appreciate the things and people in our life, we can prevent familiarity from leading to contempt.
