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Psychology

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Oct 30, 2023

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The power of choice is an intrinsic characteristic of humanity. Our choices shape our lives, and the choices we make determine the paths we take in life. Therefore, it can be argued that the strongest principle of growth lies in human choice. This concept is evident in Guy de Maupassant's short story "The Necklace," which tells the tale of a woman's life that was irrevocably changed by the choices she made. Mathilde's personality can be examined using a variety of psychological theories and ideas. The decision Mathilde made in the beginning to borrow the necklace from her friend set in motion the sequence of events that would ultimately result in her downfall. She chose to disregard the dangers of borrowing such a costly piece of jewelry because her desire for worldly items overruled her sense of reason. Her future decisions just made her sorrow worse. She made the decision to falsely claim that she had lost the necklace before buying a new one, which put her and her husband in years of debt and struggle. But the narrative is more than just a warning against making poor decisions. It also emphasizes how free will can lead to growth. Mathilde finally learns the value of perseverance and humility from the experience of her downfall. Through her experiences, she learns to appreciate the life she once took for granted and to be content despite her circumstances. In the end, she makes the decision to enjoy life's simple pleasures and comes to value her husband and the life they have together even more. The societal pressure on women to place a high priority on their outward looks is an ongoing problem with broad ramifications for both personal and societal well-being. Women are

frequently pressured to meet unattainable, constrictive beauty standards, which can result in negative body image, low self-esteem, and other problems with mental and physical health. This is a major reason in why Mathilde spiraled into a downfall. She was constantly trying to focus on her outer looks rather. Women may compare themselves to unreasonable standards and feel inadequate because the media and advertising sectors frequently promote limited and unreachable beauty ideals. Many detrimental health consequences, including eating disorders, anxiety, despair, and low self-esteem, may result from this (Dittmar et al., 2009). Women may spend a lot of money on cosmetic goods and services in attempt to meet these standards, thus the pressure to conform to beauty norms can also be financially taxing. Mathilde’s main reason for wanting the necklace is because she wanted to have a higher social status. Since the beginning of human civilization, social status has been a major factor in determining how people behave and how social hierarchies are formed. The position one occupies within a group or society is referred to as social status, and it is often established by a mix of elements including wealth, occupation, education, and prestige. A common human tendency that is fueled by a complex interaction of psychological and sociological elements is the desire for social status. The need for social status is frequently linked to a desire for self- validation and accomplishment acknowledgment. According to research, those who think of themselves as belonging to a higher social position have greater sense of self-worth and overall life happiness (Kraus et al., 2019). As a result, the desire for higher self-esteem and a sense of personal fulfillment is frequently linked to the desire for social prestige which is seen with the character Mathilde.

Mathilde was only concerned about having wealthy items such as the necklace. She was in constant pursuit of material things. The pursuit of material goods may have detrimental psychological effects on an individual. According to research, those who put material goods above other goals like relationships, community involvement, and personal growth tend to have lower levels of happiness and life satisfaction (Kasser, 2016). This is due to the fact that acquiring material items frequently only results in fleeting sensations of enjoyment that are soon replaced by a desire for additional possessions. The relentless chase of material money and goods can also result in feelings of social isolation, anxiety, and stress, all of which have a detrimental effect on mental health. Mathilde's dissatisfaction with her existence, which is fueled by her need to compare herself to others, is a significant component of her psychology. According to the social comparison hypothesis, people gauge their own skills and viewpoints by contrasting them with those of others (Festinger, 1954). This notion is demonstrated by Mathilde's persistent daydreaming about a life beyond her means and her desire for a more opulent way of life. Her dissatisfaction stems from her perception that she is beneath others who are wealthier and more privileged than she is. Another crucial element of Mathilde's psyche is her quest for social prestige. According to Maslow's hierarchy of wants, people have a fundamental desire for social acceptance and respect (Maslow, 1943). This need can be observed in Mathilde's desire to belong to the upper class and to be welcomed by people she believes to be more privileged than she is. She proves how eager she is to give up her own comfort for the sake of her goals by going to tremendous measures, like borrowing a diamond necklace from her wealthy friend Madame Forestier, to advance her social status.

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In conclusion, one of the most significant aspects that affect our ability to grow and develop is our ability to make choices. Our lives are shaped by the decisions we make, as are the paths we travel. The "The Necklace" narrative emphasizes the results of bad decisions, but it also shows the opportunity for development that results from the knowledge gained from those experiences. It is up to us to make good decisions that move us in the direction of the life we want because our choices can result in either positive or negative growth.

Works Cited Dittmar, H., Halliwell, E., & Ive, S. (2009). Does Barbie make girls want to be thin? The effect of experimental exposure to images of dolls on the body image of young girls. Developmental Psychology, 45(2), 283–292. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0012697 Kasser, T., & Ryan, R. M. (1993 ). Materialistic values and goals . Annual Review of Psychology, 44(1), 1–29. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.ps.44.020193.000245 Kraus, M. W., Piff, P. K., & Keltner, D. (2011). Social class, sense of control, and social explanation. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 101(6), 1092–1107. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0025499 Festinger, L. (1957). A theory of cognitive dissonance. Stanford University Press. Maslow, A. H. (1943). A theory of human motivation. Psychological Review, 50(4), 370-396. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0054346

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