Entitlement (psychology)

In psychology, entitlement mentality is defined as a sense of deservingness or being owed a favor when little or nothing has been done to deserve special treatment; the belief that one is inherently deserving of privileges or special treatment (the phrase "sense of entitlement" is often used). Entitlement can be seen through the actions of the individual, such as having a belief that they deserve the rewards which are due to their position, despite not performing effectively. Other factors can contribute to the formation of an entitlement mindset, especially when the individual is a child, such as helicopter parenting, and rewarding undeserving behaviors.The idea of entitlement is especially prevalent in the discussions of younger people who are accepted as students by collegiate institutions. A sense of entitlement can lead individuals to reinforce their beliefs if their image is damaged by external notions. While some people may genuinely be entitled to preferential treatment in some situations, this article is mainly about an unjustified sense of entitlement.