Respect
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- This page is about the attitude of acknowledgement, for other uses please see, Respect (disambiguation).
Respect is a psychological construct involving the interaction, The cognitive aspects of respect are still under current study thus the complete evaluation of the cognitive aspects of respect is unknown at this point in time. Due to the fact that respect is defined as a psychological construct further studies must be carried out to determine the affective, cognitive and emotional components of this construct. Respect is not simply an attitude based on experiences. Furthermore, there is no evidence that respect exists in relationships outside of humans. The concept of respect predates, and does not rely on, the existence of the concept of rights. Respect is sometimes loosely used as the synonym for politeness or manners, though these are behaviors showing respect. Even though respect is an attitude, respect will consist of cultural specific behaviors. Intercultural differences in behaviors, self-perception and outward appearance may result in the unintentional appearance of disrespect.
Respect can refer to the objective, unbiased consideration and regard for rights, values, beliefs and property. Kant's categorical imperative, as well as expressing a common understanding of civilization, incorporates the concept of respect. Many movements have at different times claimed respect as their core value.
The levels of respect that people show to each other can vary from showing no respect (which may constitute abuse in some circumstances) to showing great respect. Many cultures have institutions that ritualism respect, as with a constitutional monarchy. Some believe that only through showing an "appropriate" level of respect in all circumstances (regardless of whether or not the respecter feels that the potential respecte has earned respect) can one achieve self-respect, which allows one to become dignified. The problem of discerning appropriate levels of respect is a learned socialization skill, that depends on cultural factors.
Differences in culture, as well as in perceptions of self and of outward appearances, can result in a person unintentionally showing behavior which others may (mis-)interpret as disrespect.
The early usage of the term was in regard to position or class, and became obsolete with the rise of democracy, which instead gave respect to personal qualities or achievement. The meaning of the word has shifted back toward an honor that is automatic rather than earned.
One of the most important qualities of respect is that you must respect yourself before others can respect you. If a person doesn’t respect them self then why would any other person want to respect them? A person who does not accept respect for them self is at a deficit that reflects upon them in a negative light. Take for example one who never cleans the environment in which they live. If they are not willing to show them self the courtesy of living in a clean environment then other people are less likely to accept or acknowledge this person.
Respect is the foundation for civilization; it can be traced back to the most ancient civilizations history has to tell us about. The Aztecs, Romans, and Greeks all had one thing in common: respect. They had respect for their soldiers, their leaders, and of course for their almighty gods. Respect for the gods is evident in all three cultures. All these civilizations showed respect through time and wealth. They erected great monuments and statues, based holidays, waged war, and expanded their influence all in the name of the gods, kings and warriors. All of these actions were done out of courtesy and acknowledgement for these greater beings. This behavior is commonly known as showing respect.
However, respect is not just something that is innate; respect must be earned. The Greeks provide an excellent example of this. Their gods, kings, and best warriors were the most respected beings in the civilization. *The gods earned respect through a system of “fear and reward” as the temples preached, meanwhile the kings earned respect through their knowledge and the way they ruled their people whether through fear or intellect; the warriors on the other hand earned their respect through battle—the enemy’s fear of these warriors was what gave them the respect of the warriors own people.* The stories of the warriors or heroes as some were called show how this respect was earned. Take for example the Homer’s epic poem the Iliad, Greece’s two most respected and fiercest heroes, Hector and Achilles, do battle with their opposing armies for 9 years. These two famed warriors were even feared by kings. This fear manifested itself in the form of respect. The kings would treat these two warriors with immense courtesy and acknowledgement for their deeds. Either of the two are said to have been able to take on any number of men; it is for that ability, their courage, brutality, and overall skill with a sword that they were respected.
In the present time period respect has migrated more toward the fear aspect than acceptance respect is also evident in the crudest forms of culture such as in gangs. This sub culture exists within many major cultures, but it is most evident in large metropolitan areas. The basis of all gangs is respect. Each action that a member of a gang does earns them either more respect and a higher status within the gang, or less respect and a diminished status. In other words the members gain more power and control with the over the gang and their territory. Leaders of these organizations generally are older and have committed various crimes in order to achieve the status they hold. In the world of gangs people live and die on the basis of the acknowledgement and courtesy they show. A loss of respect or acting in way that is unacceptable in the group can and usually does lead to death.
Age, positions of power, and education are also ways to earn respect. An elderly person will get respect from the people around just because they old. This is an inherent nature in that our species has. We look to our elders because they have lived longer than us and have more experience. For those in positions of power it is simple; the power they hold forces people to pay them respect. Finally the educational stature a person has earns them respect; a doctorate is always going to be favored over a high school education.
