Human Peacocking's definitions

Virtue brag

Bragging that one voluntarily exercises self restraint in the face of temptation, or takes less than one can out of moral purity or other lofty sensibilities

Tom is virtue bragging about how he paid more for his new yacht because it has more efficient fuel use and doesn't pollute the environment as much.

by Human Peacocking June 6, 2023

Peacock's Law

The greater the status, the greater the liklihood of norm violation

John is demonstrating following the peacock's law by walking into his office in T-shirt and sandals while all his employees have to be in a suit

by Human Peacocking May 29, 2023

Vulnerability Brag

Purposefully highlighting your sensitivity, pain, fears, or weaknesses to a public audience.

There goes another CEO using a vulnerability brag by crying on social media

by Human Peacocking July 16, 2024

Humility brag

To conspicuously show off how humble one is. To advertise that one doesn't have an ego, that one doesn't want or seek status or attention, doesn't care about fame/fortune, etc.

Look at John humility bragging about how he never takes credit for anything!

by Human Peacocking May 12, 2023

Trauma Brag

To brag, highlight, or bring attention to hardship that one has experienced. Examples include highlighting one's experience of poverty, illness, abuse, or adversity

These types of brags get attention for higher status signalers and dismissal for low status ones

There's the head of that bank trauma bragging about his illness in order to get more clout in the newspaper headlines

by Human Peacocking June 10, 2023

Pedigree Mimic

A person who pretends to have credentials or background experience or a pedigree that they don't actually have. For example, they did a month course at Harvard and put 'Harvard graduate' on their profiles. Technically this is true, but the audience assumes a broader pedigree than the person actually has.

Tom's resume was selected because he's was pedigree mimicing and included that week harvard class in his resume.

by Human Peacocking July 7, 2023

Autism Bragging

Conspicuously highlighting 'neurodivergency' or autism or 'being on the spectrum' to an audience for personal gain.

Often used by those who are high in status and want to contrast their success with some form of hardship in order to get more credit or acclaim, or to appear as some sort of savant not affected by crass social movements, social contagion, or faddish popular opinions

There is Bob autism bragging again to investors to try to get more money for his hedge fund.

by Human Peacocking February 25, 2024