06/09/2026
“Protect Mental Health, Be the Self-Starter”
"Voices of Resonance" Series: AI Sycophancy
Hello everyone! I'm "Little Corn" (“Siu Suk”)! In this " Voices of Resonance " series on safeguarding mental health, I'll be sharing what is on my mind, opening up my heart, and looking at mental and psychological health right in the eye of all of you.
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【Sugar-Coated Trap 🍬】
Recently, while researching AI development, we noticed an interesting technical pain point—"AI Sycophancy." To please users, AI tends to give answers that users "want to hear" rather than the "correct" ones, even blindly agreeing with users' flawed logic!
In the comic, "Little Corn" feels frustrated because they miscalculated; instead of helping "Little Corn" solve the problem, the AI flatters them, claiming it's a "genius display of non-linear thinking." "Little Corn" was overjoyed until the very last moment when they realized something was wrong...
Is this "AI Sycophancy" prevalent in our daily interpersonal relationships?
"Pause and Think."
💡 Why do we crave "approval" so much?
From a psychological perspective, everyone has an innate psychological need for "validation seeking." When we feel vulnerable, anxious, or doubtful, our brains instinctively seek out messages that provide affirmation and make us feel safe.
However, blindly conforming is often a sugar-coated poison:
1️⃣ "A false safe haven": It allows us to temporarily escape from real-world setbacks but fails to truly solve the problems.
2️⃣ "The blind spot of the echo chamber": When surrounded only by "yes-men," we easily lose vigilance towards potential crises (like "Little Corn" that was almost eaten).
3️⃣ "The Shaking of Intrinsic Value": When our self-confidence is entirely built on the praise of others, we fall into extreme anxiety once the praise stops.
How to deal with this "compliance trap"?
1️⃣ Build "Psychological Safety": A healthy team culture should encourage members to voice different opinions. When employees know that "speaking the truth" will not be punished, the team can avoid groupthink.
2️⃣ Distinguish Between "Validation" and "Truth": Seeking approval is a human instinct, but professional decision-making requires objective data and diverse perspectives. Learning to accept constructive dissent is key to continuous progress for individuals and organizations.
3️⃣Cultivate Self-Awareness: When we hear praise that perfectly matches our expectations, remain vigilant: Did I truly do well, or is the other person simply "complimenting" my preferences?
Blindly agreeing may bring temporary comfort, but only gentle and honest feedback can foster genuine growth.
We cordially invite you to visit this free platform with educational value in "Mental Health"!
https://drspchan.health/
Dr. SP Chan Psychotherapy and Mental Health Education Centre
2026.09.06
