Psychologist Leon Festinger explained this through Social Comparison Theory, which holds that people naturally tend to compare themselves with others. With social media, these comparisons have become more intense, Rashdan says, because most people present the “ideal” version of their lives rather than their actual reality in order to attract greater fame and more followers. This pressure has created in some people a need to constantly project an image of strength, success, and confidence. This is where what is sometimes referred to as Performative Confidence emerged, whereby the goal is not to genuinely feel a sense of self-worth, but to convince others of it. As a result, we notice behaviors such as excessive boasting, heightened sensitivity to criticism, a constant need for attention, or behaving arrogantly.
