Psychology Facts

▲ Compliments ▲

》  A compliment is a polite expression of praise or admiration. Example: "she paid me an enormous compliment"

》  Compliments derive from taking notice of praiseworthy situations and efforts. So they are a mark of awareness and consciousness

》  Compliments activate the reward centers in the brain, called the ventral striatum and the ventral medial prefrontal cortex. One study even found that receiving a compliment is just as thrilling to the brain as receiving cash — both are perceived by the striatum as "social rewards."
Researchers believe that, by activating this area, praise improves learning that occurs during sleep, a process referred to as 'skill consolidation'. In other words: by giving others compliments, we help them to learn and to perform better.

》  The art of the compliment is not only a powerful social skill; it is one of the most fundamental. Compliments are in fact one of the finest tools for acquiring more social skills, because the returns are great and immediate.

》  Compliments benefit the giver, too. Being in the habit of giving compliments helps us notice and appreciate what's good and what we like in those around us. "So being complimentary helps us create an optimistic, happier outlook,"

》  Research has shown that receiving compliments can improve performance and may help us learn. More specifically, a study from 2012 suggests that when we try out a new skill - such as dancing, running, or playing the clarinet -, receiving praise helps our brain remember and repeat the skill.

》  Key to giving compliments (and being good at giving compliments) is paying attention to the people around you and paying attention to the details.

》  By giving compliments you can make interactions more enjoyable, bring out reciprocating warmth from others, and create a favorable impression in their eyes.

》  The best compliments are specific. They refer to character traits, behaviors, or appearance.
Hearing that someone thinks you're smart or kind or pretty is nice to hear, but those compliments apply to a lot of people. Calling out something specific shows the other person you're interested and paying attention.

》 Compliments have to be genuine to work. Or, at the very least, you have to be so convincing the other person doesn't suspect you're telling lies.

》"Faux compliments are likely to have the opposite effect as genuine ones. People who receive them will often feel they are insincere and not well-intentioned, and that undermines any positive effects they might feel about being praised,"

》  For people with low self-esteem, there's actually some research to suggest that compliments do not tend to be well-accepted, (people with low self esteem have a hard time accepting compliments) explains Joanne Wood, Professor of Psychology at University of Waterloo.
Wood's group suggests that showing interest in the other person when they react this way may work better when it comes to strengthening relationships (rather than exchanging compliments), she says.

》  Learning how to graciously accept compliments is just as important as learning how to give them. denying a compliment is another way of telling someone that they're wrong or that their opinion or perspective is wrong (which is kind of rude if you think about it).