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- Dictionaryloyalty/ˈlɔɪəlti/
noun
- 1. the quality of being loyal: "his extreme loyalty to the Crown"
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Loyalty is the quality or state of being loyal, which means being faithful or devoted to someone or something. Learn more about the synonyms, examples, history, and usage of loyalty from Merriam-Webster dictionary.
- Overview
- Characteristics of Loyalty
- Benefits and Drawbacks of Loyalty
- How to Build Loyalty
- A Word From Verywell
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Loyalty is a virtue we value in relationships with family, friends, romantic partners, workplaces, organizations, religions, and nations. But what is loyalty, and why is it important?
This article explores the characteristics, benefits, and drawbacks of loyalty, as well as some strategies to build loyalty in relationships.
People tend to define loyalty by what it is not (for example, not being betrayed, cheated on, or abandoned), but loyalty is much more than the absence of mistreatment.
Loyalty is faithfulness, dedication, honesty, trust, and support in a relationship, says Sabrina Romanoff, PsyD, clinical psychologist and professor at Yeshiva University in New York City. It requires an emotional commitment and engenders a sense of identity. Below, Dr. Romanoff explains some of the characteristics of loyalty.
Benefits of Loyalty
Loyalty can strengthen relationships because people are more honest and forthcoming when they know the other person is loyal. It engenders trust and closeness in relationships.
Sabrina Romanoff, PsyD
Relationships with loyalty are stronger because both people can be themselves and share what they’re experiencing without fear that the other person will abandon them. — Sabrina Romanoff, PsyD This is true for romantic, work, family, and social relationships. When we feel others are loyal to us, we can be authentic and take off the socially acceptable filters that we tend to display our behaviors through. Loyalty helps build support, which is important for mental, emotional, and physical well-being. Knowing you have people who have your back and will be there for you when you need them can help you feel secure.
Drawbacks of Loyalty
Loyalty can be harmful when your allegiance to the other person becomes consistently detrimental to you. Some people remain in relationships that no longer serve them. In these instances, their sense of loyalty can cause them to become exploited or abused. Although loyalty is an important trait, it should never be used against someone. Someone who is loyal can have difficulty recognizing when someone they love is manipulating them. An outside perspective from a friend, family member, colleague, or therapist who has their best interests at heart can be helpful. You can't always sever relationships completely, but setting boundaries with people who are taking advantage of your loyalty is important. Signs Someone Is Using You
Dr. Romanoff suggests these tips—and some time—to help build loyalty.
•Show appreciation: Show that you value the person. Communicate how important their presence is in your life. Don’t take them for granted. Showing someone your loyalty can foster their loyalty, too.
•Be supportive: Offer encouragement when they're struggling, and help them face their problems. Don’t give up on them when challenges arise. They should know you’re there for them through thick and thin.
•Maintain their confidence: If they share their secrets, hopes, plans, fears, or insecurities with you, respect their privacy and avoid passing judgment.
•Keep promises: Make it a point to follow through on commitments. Be honest if you can't.
•Honor your relationship. Be faithful in whatever way you and your partner define that.
Loyalty can help build strong relationships, social support, and mutual emotional health. Being honest, supportive, respectful, and appreciative fortifies this all-important building block of a committed relationship.
3 Sources
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1.Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Loyalty.
2.Hong JW, Hong AJ, Kim SR. Exploring implicit and explicit attitudes of employees’ authentic organizational loyalty. Front Psychol. 2021;12:666869. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.666869
3.Harandi TF, Taghinasab MM, Nayeri TD. The correlation of social support with mental health: A meta-analysis. Electron Physician. 2017;9(9):5212-5222. doi:10.19082/5212
Oct 8, 2023 · Loyalty is a complex and multifaceted concept studied in psychology. It involves a strong feeling of support or allegiance towards someone or something, often accompanied by a sense of obligation or duty. Learn how loyalty manifests in different types of relationships, personality traits, and mental health.
Loyalty is the quality of being loyal or faithful to someone or something. Learn how to use the word in different contexts, such as politics, marketing and HR, with examples and collocations from the Cambridge Dictionary.
loyalty, general term that signifies a person’s devotion or sentiment of attachment to a particular object, which may be another person or group of persons, an ideal, a duty, or a cause. It expresses itself in both thought and action and strives for the identification of the interests of the loyal person with those of the object.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Loyalty is the state or quality of being loyal, or faithful to commitments or obligations. It can also refer to a feeling of allegiance or devotion to something or someone. See the origin, synonyms, and usage examples of loyalty.
Loyalty is the quality of being loyal or faithful to someone or something. Learn how to use the word loyalty in different contexts, such as business, marketing and politics, with examples and collocations.
