Absolutely, for no one in this world has been bestowed with the power to make others feel inferior. The power solely lies in our minds. Imagine standing amid a throng, every one of them hurling an insult at you, saying something that instantly makes you feel like you can’t breathe. Every voice caving into you, shrinking you, until the weight tramples you. Put it metaphorically; you are drowning in the sea, not of water but of opinions and judgment, pulling you deeper. It is only natural for a person to believe that they have no way out, that the load will eventually bury them. Now let us reimagine this scenario, amid the throng, their voices screaming, high- pitched echoes all around, but you have ur headphones on, blasting your favourite music, that quietens the chaos outside. And just as you are sinking in that sea of words, a raft appears, keeping you afloat. experiences of a person. If this is the case, then indeed Roosevelt’s words hold the truth. They aim to convince us that inferiority and insecurity are not feelings that one can foster and plant in our minds. Her words are supported by various disciplines, including psychology, sociology, neuroscience, cognitive science, and philosophy, among others. However, a core fact we must not overlook is that the ability to resist the words of others, as these studies show, is not a decision we can make overnight. It is almost like our mind is made up of a pillar of bricks, and we need to apply mortar to ensure its strength. How well and consistently you mix and apply the mortar will ultimately determine the strength of the building. Enough with the metaphors for a moment, now let’s get real. A psychological theory to Stepping back into reality, doesn’t our world resemble that throng and sea of opinions? And just like that, amidst the noise, we learn to turn inward and trust our strength. Eleanor Roosevelt once said, “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent”. But is it truly that simple? To ignore the muffled voices that slip through the music? To trust that your raft will keep you aloft no matter how fierce the tide? It is certainly not implausible, but it requires a great deal of energy to sustain. Psychological and Cognitive Perspective There is a widely held misconception about a person being either stoic, unaffected by the words of others, almost as if they are incapable of showing an emotion or reaction or being overly sensitive, those who are often told “don’t take everything to your heart”. People are not “born that way”; they have to cultivate the energy within their minds. Psychology suggests that such traits are shaped by the mindsets, environment and exemplify the argument is the Internal Locus of Control. This was introduced to the world by Julian B. Rotter in 1954. It suggests that people who have a strong Internal Locus of Control don’t seem affected by the words, opinions or judgments of others. They believe that they are only responsible for the outcomes of their lives. So, suppose someone said something to them, they remind themselves that they have the option to accept the words and engrave them in their minds and continuously replay them until their brain is convinced that it is real, or simply reject them and never think about them again. Let’s face it, though, critics will argue that an “External” Locus of Control also exists, which suggests that some people do believe that their lives are determined by outside factors. Yet we forget that Locus of Control is not a hereditary trait, rather it is malleable and is based on our experience, mindset and intentional efforts.