Irrelevant messages, especially in the context of communication psychology, can indeed affect one's sense of value or self-worth. Here’s how they might do so
- Attention as a Limited Resource
Attention is a form of currency in social psychology. Constantly receiving unwanted messages can give the impression that your attention is being taken for granted, depleting your mental resources and causing a feeling of decreased value.
People may start feeling like their time and energy are not being respected, which can erode self-esteem over time.
- Social Comparison and Validation
In contrast, when people receive meaningful messages, it can boost their sense of worth. Unwanted messages, by their nature, do the opposite and may create feelings of exclusion or insignificance if they are seen as less valuable than others' interactions
