self-abasement

plural self-abasements

1. The abasement of oneself.

   Self-abasement is a state of excessive, unwarranted humility self-inflicted humiliation and degradation.

   year unknown, Dr. Ian Traill, The Pearl of Great Worth!: “The Vibe”, Traillblazer Bookshop →ISBN, page 105

   2 more examples

   This self-abasement is a widespread characteristic in Holland. Especially in the company of foreigners the Dutch tend to run their country down. By pretending to be less than they know they are, they prevent being belittled by other people.

   2016, Jan Willem Duyvendak, Peter Geschiere, Evelien Tonkens, The Culturalization of Citizenship: Belonging and Polarization in a Globalizing World, Springer, →ISBN, page 54

   Self-abasement is a process whereby through criticizing, blaming, or otherwise derogating the self, the individual seeks to allay anxiety.

   1991, Norman A. Polansky, Integrated Ego Psychology, Transaction Publishers, →ISBN, page 49