Do you know someone who always has to be the center of attention?
Do they never miss an opportunity to show off or express their opinions?
Are they often long-winded, verbose, and overly elaborate in their language?
If so, then that person may have a Pretentious personality type.
This article will explore what it means to have this personality type and how it manifests itself in everyday life.
It will also provide useful tips on how to interact with people with such personalities, as well as strategies for people with a Pretentiously angled outlook on life.
Let’s take a closer look at the key elements of the Pretentious personality type.
Quick Navigation
What is a Pretentious Personality Type?
So, what is a Pretentious personality and what does it mean?
Here’s a quick definition:
A Pretentious personality type is an individual who puts on an air of superiority in order to appear superior or more knowledgeable than they actually are.
This quality often manifests as a show of condescension or speaking with apparent authority.
Maybe even through the use of overly-complex words and phrases that can be difficult to comprehend.
People with this personality type are often driven by a need to impress others, yet remain guarded and unapproachable.
It’s likely that if you have encountered someone with a Pretentious personality type, you were left feeling frustrated and wanting for substance.
Ultimately, these individuals often give the impression that their knowledge is greater than it actually is, in order to appear ‘impressive’.
What Are Pretentious Personality Characteristics & Traits?
Here are some of the most common characteristics and traits of someone who has a Pretentious personality type:
- Pretentious people have a high opinion of themselves and think they are better than others
- They like to be the center of attention and can be very dramatic
- They often have a lot of money but don’t always spend it wisely
- Pretentious types can be very judgmental and critical of others
- They usually have a lot of superficial relationships with people
- They can be very demanding and difficult to please
Pretentious Personality Examples
Pretentious personality types are often characterized by their overinflated sense of superiority.
Oftentimes, famous figures can reflect this behavior in the spotlight.
For example, Kanye West displays a certain level of pretentiousness in many of his public appearances.
From excessive bragging about his accolades to making huge claims and promises.
Musician Morrissey is also known for his characteristic air of arrogance, as evidenced by his statements that he has a ‘royal heritage’ and insists upon exclusive VIP rights.
Similarly, actress Jennifer Lawrence exudes an attitude of entitlement on red carpets or when she discusses other celebrities.
Pretentiousness is widely seen in popular media today.
How Can You Tell If You Have a Pretentious Personality Type?
A person who has a pretentious personality type may be recognizable by their superiority complex.
This gives them the feeling that they are better than everyone else.
They will often put on airs, affecting an air of wealth and sophistication in order to gain respect or admiration.
As such, they will sometimes engage in superficial conversations, showing off facts and beliefs that they think makes them look important or knowledgeable.
They may also be overly opinionated, with a tendency to speak authoritatively about subjects without much evidence.
In addition, people with a Pretentious personality type are more likely to pass judgment on others without actually getting to know more about the individual.
All these behaviors can help reveal if someone has a Pretentious personality type.
Benefits of Having a Pretentious Personality Type
Those possessing a Pretentious personality type often find themselves excelling in many different aspects of life.
These individuals are confident, articulate and ambitious.
All qualities which they use to push the boundaries and accomplish their goals.
Additionally, they tend to be successful in both their personal and professional relationships by demonstrating their leadership skills.
The same traits often lead to success in creative pursuits as well, such as writing music or acting, helping them gain recognition from others.
This unique combination of qualities makes it easier for them to make choices that are beneficial for their overall growth and development.
As a result of their driven mindset and ambition, members of this personality type tend to foster rich and fruitful lives.
They often will have greater degrees of achievement than those without these traits.
Challenges of Having a Pretentious Personality Type
People with a Pretentious personality type may find difficulty in forming meaningful relationships and experience isolation due to their excessive need for recognition from their peers.
Because of their elitist attitude, they may give off an air of unapproachability to those around them.
Inadvertently pushing away potential connections.
Acquiring true friends under this personality type is hard to come by.
This is because they feel like they have a checklist associated with these friendships that puts unrealistic expectations on the relationship.
For some people with this personality type, there may also be a stigma surrounding their individual identity, which can add pressure or disillusionment when trying to build relationships or pursue aspirations and goals.
