To be able to fully understand what over compensation means, you must first understand what compensation means.
In simple prose,
When you neglect engaging in the”DO” from the start, it often resorts to an “OVER DO”
Compensation is a form of payment in every sense mainly used to indemnify a loss or injury whereas overcompensation (negative compensation) comes in form of an excessive need to neutralize, normalize or solve a yet uncomplicated situation in an exaggerated manner to overcome the feeling which leads to further complications most times.
Causes of overcompensation
The main cause of overcompensation is the feeling of guilt involved. Counterintuitively, guilt works in form of a muse that drives one to the need to compensate in the first place which when neglected, transforms to the need to overcompensate. This is very natural as humans who have consciences and act on it. When we acknowledge our misbehavior/wrong or inappropriateness, name it, searching deep down our consciences and confirming it can trigger guilt which can cause one to become irrational and overreact in a bid to compensate over what had just occurred hence, overcompensation. As humans that we are, mistakes are inevitable and guilt is one of the safe ways to depict we have a conscience, but like a double-edge sword, guilt leads to irrationality when uncontrolled.
The first step to rid guilt is to avoid whatever may have led you to feeling that way in the first place. Better still, get in check with your emotions after the mistake has occurred and properly determine with clear head what the appropriate solution should be. Guilt-led overcompensations can be quite insulting and complicate relationships than mend it. This is typically seen with accidental discharge cases or other forms of real car accident scenarios where the causal survivors attempt to compensate the family of the deceased monetarily without first reflecting and rendering a heartfelt apology or condolences for their loss. The loss of a family member friend or any other type of loved one through an accident for instance, makes it a sensitive issue in the first place and although, monetary compensations are customarily required in such cases, it is best to offer or show deepest sincere condolences first to soothe the mind and create room for other peace offerings if necessary. Otherwise, this may complicate the situation further and lead to unnecessary need to overcompensate in the future (probably after a court hearing).
The flow of thoughts should go as follows;
Done something wrong? Yes. ---------->searched your conscience to determine what specific wrong has been done? Yes. — >reflected over it? Yes. —> appropriate remedy in place? Yes. Leave it here.
The first point of remedial action for any wrong doing whether intentionally or unintentionally, by action or inaction is rendering an apology. If/when delayed or neglected, can result to intense guilt in the conscience later on hence, overcompensation.
Guilt — irrationalism — overcompensation
Avoid anything that may cause you to be guilty “before” charge and linger even after remedying.
