Why do people feel the need to give advice?

Question

Let me clarify this question:

Why would a person give someone advice on something they have not solved themselves?

For example: If you are not good at math, and someone is telling you about a math problem they are struggling with in the same level, why would you give them advice on how to solve it when your own problem isn't solved? Seems to me that the advice would not be a very dependable resource. Wouldn't you think?

Answer 1

The questioner seems to share one of my Yahoo demons!



My theories:

First off, here is a supposed Chinese saying, taken from a Guinness Stout ad…

“Those who know little – talk much.

Those who know much – talk little.”



Next:

Information compulsion…

This seems to be a hard-wired (negative, to me) human trait.

Why else do friends and criminals end up selling each other off? This thing feels as good as money – information compulsion!



Preaching culture:

OK, my country is not a religious country. We preach about different things.

Anyway…seeing the amount of preaching that goes on in the media and the Net, I reckon your country could very well accept preaching as an ordinary part of life. Am I right?



Students, children and teens:

I do not mean to offend the young, but I did find a research article that showed that teens have this great natural ability to theorize about things they have never experienced themselves, or put to the test.



The Yahoo Q & A reason:

Need I even say it out? You are intelligent. You'd know this one. It is something you can count!



I really hope you find your answers. Then again, on the other hand, I would also shudder to know what they are!

Answer 2

I think there are many reasons for this such as sincerely wanting to help someone; to feel needed; to keep someone from making the same mistake you did; or even just plain arrogance and a "I know it all" attitude. These are just a few of what I'm sure everyone could come up with.

Answer 3

Great question!



"It depends," is my sincere answer.



I believe that "advice-giving" (good, bad, or otherwise) is rather second-nature to our natural penchant for socialization. That is, as most of us go about the daily routine, we (unconsciously to a degree) engage others in a variety of situations and circumstances ... often those intersections where we cross paths with another are moments of sharing anyhing from confidential information to conundrums.



With that assumption, it then seems likely there are those who have no legitimate (expertise) reason for offering advice but do so (whether the advice is solicited or not) because of some urge (I believe psychological) to assert a position ... be it power or dominance, caring (feigned or real), or even masking an insecurity (low self-esteem, self-doubt, loathing, and the like).



It seems reasonable that if a person is giving advice when s/he truly doesn't know the subject matter, then another set of expectations is at play (akin to a hidden agenda). At the same time, it's my view that, depending on the individual's psychological grounding and the intensity of the urge to offer this advice (even if there is no credible basis for providing it), the individual may be engaging this advice-giving without even realizing it. At that level, I believe, there's probably "unresolved issues."



However, on the other hand, with 6.6 billion of us roaming the planet, there's bound to be a substantial number of advice-givers that are simply *******.

Answer 4

Because they themselves aren't any Good at taking it / acting upon advice that they have been given, and feel that they don't need any themselves, therefor, as they think that they are always right, well nearly most of the time, they are better giving it, then receiving it...

Answer 5

Hope you find out, I'm coming back to see what comes in. I don't think it is to make one feel better.

It may more related to the saying about computers, garbage in garbage out.

Kind of like the Priest giving lessons on child rearing and marriage, just doesn't follow but there it is.

Answer 6

each person has his own reasons, It could be good reasons such as:

don't want other people to suffer what you had to.

because you think that your advice could effect other people lifes in a good way.

or it could be bad reasons such as:

to make people think that you are good or intelligent person,



and recently I've discovered a new type of advices, which comes from people who just want to talk and do not think of the consequences of their advices (just omit this kind of advices)

Answer 7

That is because it makes people feel better for not solving their own problems

Answer 8

They think that ur dumb and you ask for an advice.

Answer 9

we always feel we know better