Poster - #VH-74139 - Keywords: people-pleasing guilt empathy

Evolutionary and Ecological Underpinnings of People-Pleasing: An Exploratory Study

Rajika Mehra , Jack W. Berry , David J. Stiver , Lynn E. O’Connor
The Wright Institute, Samford University, Graduate Theological Union

ABSTRACT:
People-pleasing behaviors, often framed as excessive agreeableness or social conformity, may have adaptive evolutionary roots that are underexplored in the psychological literature (Li, 2022). This study explored the ecological and cultural foundations of people-pleasing, asking whether these behaviors might serve an adaptive function rooted in the human drive for social cohesion and belonging. The study focused on six hypotheses related to people-pleasing and its associations with collectivism, interpersonal guilt, empathy, personality traits, and overall life satisfaction. When analyzed empirically, the data collected challenges the predominantly negative portrayal of people-pleasing and further suggests that this may indicate a concern for others and not just for the self. A nuanced understanding may acknowledge both the adaptive and maladaptive aspects of people-pleasing. The study recommends that clinicians explore the underlying emotional drivers of people-pleasing, particularly guilt based on empathy and worry about the well-being of others, when supporting clients. Additionally, cultural sensitivity should be prioritized when interpreting people-pleasing behaviors, as motivations and consequences may vary across cultural frameworks. Culture and context matter.