The Power of a Compliment
As human beings, we want recognition and acknowledgement. It's natural, so when we receive a compliment we feel happy, confident, or worthy. So in times where people feel stressed or disconnected, compliments can be very important. I went up to 15 students at Souhegan High School to see what affect a compliment actually has on a person.
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"Compliments are little gifts of love. They are not asked for or demanded. They tell a person they are worthy of notice. They are powerful gifts."
Researcher, Professor Sadation, explained “To the brain, receiving a compliment is as much a social reward as being rewarded money.”
"Compliments amplify positivity; they not only deliver positive effects to others, those effects bounce back on us, ramping up the positive atmosphere we breath."
"Compliments are in fact one of the finest tools for acquiring more social skills, because the returns are great and immediate. They escalate the atmosphere of positivity and become social lubricants, fostering the flow of conversation and advancing communication by enhancing receptivity."
Christine Carter, PhD, wrote an article in Psychology Today discussing the health benefits of altruistic acts. She reports that those who are kind, not only lived longer but that those who volunteered experienced less pain, lower levels of heart disease, depression and anxiety, and those aged 55 or older were 44% less likely to die.
"A compliment can make someone's day better and make them smile" -Aidan Casey
2012 study completed by researchers at the Japanese National Institute for Psychological Sciences, found that study participants who received direct compliments for completing tasks were stimulated to perform tasks better than those who were not.
"Compliments make other people feel good, and then that person associates you with that feeling. This makes them a great way to bridge the gap between stranger and friend."
"A genuine compliment involves noticing the good in other people. As you become more proficient in finding positive aspects in other people, you get better at seeing positive aspects of yourself."
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Life coach Shannon Battle says that as human beings, we crave feeling acknowledged and validated. “We want someone to recognize us, and when people give compliments, that signifies that someone is paying attention,” she explains. In a world where people often feel alone and disconnected, a simple compliment triggers feelings of self-worth. “It just helps them to feel better altogether,” says Battle.
"A compliment has the power to stick with someone for years. Something that may have felt insignificant or simple to you could have immense significance to someone else."
Poortvliet explains that “nothing stimulates more and increases productivity and commitment faster than sincere appreciation.”
"We miss a lot of great opportunities to make others happy and to make ourselves happy."
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