Last updated on February 24th, 2025 at 01:53 pm
The dark side of sense of agency gives an elusive sense of control or distortion that makes an individual deceptive, manipulative, and even prone to cause harm.
The sense of agency allows individuals to feel in control of their lives, but it has a dark side.
While it empowers people to shape their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, it can also be distorted for harmful purposes.
Research shows that strong agency can lead to unethical behaviors like lying or cheating, as individuals feel above the rules.
External factors, such as social pressure or authority, can manipulate a person’s sense of agency, leading to conformity or even violence.
Additionally, an inflated sense of agency may result in self-deception, risky behavior, and failure according to Nature.
Recognizing these negative effects helps us use agency responsibly and ethically.
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Table of Contents
- Potentials for The Dark Side of Sense of Agency
- Examples of Situations where a Sense of Agency Has Led to Narcissistic and Egocentric Behaviour
- Balancing Sense of Agency with Other Traits
- Conclusion
Potentials for The Dark Side of Sense of Agency
The sense of agency is a powerful force that allows us to feel in control of our lives and actions as reiterated in Emerson’s The Conduct of Life.
However, this feeling of control can also have the dark side of sense of agency on the flipside, leading to narcissism, blaming others for one’s failures, power struggles, and conflicts.
Development of Narcissism and Egocentrism
A strong sense of agency can lead to narcissism and egocentrism, where individuals become self-centered and dismissive of others’ needs.
Narcissism
Narcissism is a personality disorder marked by a grandiose sense of self-importance, lack of empathy, and a constant need for admiration. Narcissistic individuals may exploit others and expect special treatment.
Egocentrism
Egocentrism is a cognitive bias where individuals focus solely on their own perspective, disregarding others’. They may believe their view is the only valid one, hindering collaboration and cooperation.
Both traits can damage relationships, leading to mistrust and an inability to consider others’ viewpoints.
Blaming Others
Blaming others for failures, despite having a strong sense of agency, can damage relationships and trust.
It encourages a lack of accountability, respect, and personal growth. By avoiding responsibility, individuals miss opportunities to learn from mistakes and improve, ultimately hindering both personal and professional development.
Power Struggles and Conflicts
A strong sense of agency can lead to power struggles, where individuals feel entitled to control others.
These conflicts hinder collaboration and progress, especially when both parties are invested in the outcome.
Power struggles breed negative emotions like anger and frustration, negatively impacting relationships and mental well-being, ultimately limiting growth and cooperation.
Power Struggles and Conflicts
Power struggles and conflicts are potential dark sides of a sense of agency.
Most people who have a sense of agency may feel entitled to control others and their environment.
This always happens in every setting. There must be someone who feels entitled and wants to tell others what to do.
This can lead to conflicts with others who also have a strong sense of agency, as well as with those who do not share the same level of control.
Related: Personal Power: How To Unleash Your Inner Strength
Examples of Situations where a Sense of Agency Has Led to Narcissistic and Egocentric Behaviour
There are many examples of people and situations where a sense of agency has led to narcissistic and egocentric behavior.
Here are a few examples:
- Politicians: Politicians’ strong sense of agency can lead to narcissistic and egocentric behavior, prioritizing their own power over the needs of their constituents.
- Celebrities: Celebrities’ strong sense of agency may foster narcissism, making them focus on their fame and fortune rather than the needs of their fans.
- Business Leaders: Business leaders may develop narcissistic behavior, focusing on profits and success over the well-being of their employees and customers due to their strong sense of agency.
- Athletes: Athletes may become self-centered, prioritizing personal achievements over teamwork and fan needs, driven by their strong sense of agency.
- Social Media Influencers: Social media influencers’ strong sense of agency can result in egocentric behavior, emphasizing their popularity and influence over the needs of their followers and the broader community.
Related: What is Agency in Psychology?
Balancing Sense of Agency with Other Traits
It is important to balance this sense of agency with other traits, such as empathy, accountability, and collaboration, in order to achieve personal development and growth.
- Empathy: A strong sense of agency may cause individuals to focus on their own needs, reducing empathy. Balancing agency with empathy fosters stronger relationships, trust, personal growth, and a greater sense of well-being.
- Accountability: Strong agency can lead to blaming others for mistakes. Balancing agency with accountability encourages learning from mistakes, fostering self-awareness, personal growth, and improved performance.
- Collaboration: A strong sense of agency may make individuals control others to their advantage. Balancing agency with collaboration promotes effective teamwork, leading to greater success and
Conclusion
The sense of agency is a fundamental aspect of human experience that allows us to perceive ourselves as the initiators of our actions and the masters of our fate.
However, recent research has uncovered the dark side of sense of agency that reveals its potential for manipulation, deception, and even harm.
The development of narcissism and egocentrism, blaming others for one’s failures, and power struggles and conflicts are all potential dark sides of sense of agency that can have negative consequences for individuals and those around them.
To strike a balance, it is important to recognize the potential for these negative outcomes and work to mitigate their effects.
Pyo Merez (PsyD) is a distinguished adolescent and adult psychologist at the forefront of mental health advocacy.
With expertise in cognitive and developmental psychology, focusing on social relationships, cultural contexts, and individual differences, Pyo has dedicated his career to empowering adolescents and adults.
As a sought-after speaker and panelist, Pyo shares invaluable insights on issues affecting young people, contributing to a deeper understanding of mental health and well-being in today's society.