Encouragement-hunting describes the active seeking and pursuit of positive reinforcement, validation, or support from external sources, often in response to perceived insecurities, doubts, or a desire for external validation. This behavior can manifest in various ways, including repeatedly seeking praise, approval, or affirmation from others, and it can become a cyclical pattern, particularly if internal self-worth is low. While healthy forms of seeking support exist, excessive encouragement-hunting may indicate a reliance on external sources for emotional regulation and can sometimes hinder personal growth and resilience. It involves both the deliberate act of seeking and the reward itself, often triggering the release of neurochemicals such as dopamine that cause the seeker to crave such activities.
Encouragement-hunting meaning with examples
- After submitting her manuscript, Sarah found herself constantly seeking feedback from friends and family, refreshing her email every few minutes. She was engaging in encouragement-hunting, needing constant reassurance that her work was good enough before she was sure.
- Driven by low self-esteem, John would post frequently on social media, fishing for compliments and positive comments. Each like and share felt like validation, but the effect was short-lived, and he was constantly engaged in encouragement-hunting.
- The aspiring musician would play their songs repeatedly for anyone willing to listen, anxiously awaiting approval. The performance was the method for reinforcement and caused the musician to be encouragement-hunting, needing the external validation of the crowd.
- The student, unsure of his abilities, constantly asked his teacher to review his assignments, seeking affirmation he did well. This behavior, seeking to erase anxiety, was a form of encouragement-hunting fueled by a lack of internal confidence.
- Feeling uncertain about their life choices, the person constantly texted their friends and family for guidance. The need for external advice pointed toward a behavior of encouragement-hunting, driven by the insecurities of not knowing where to go.