Passive Aggressive Behavior

A Passive Aggressive Behavior is a maladaptive behavior characterized by indirect expression of negative feelings (rather than openly addressing them).

• Context:
  • It can (typically) involve masked hostility or anger expressed through subtle non-verbal cues or indirect actions.
  • It can (often) manifest as procrastination, deliberate inefficiency, sullen behavior, or subtle insults.
  • It can range from being Mild Passive Aggression to being Severe Passive Aggression.
  • It can be a defense mechanism to avoid direct confrontation or conflict.
  • It can occur in various social settings including workplace relationships, romantic partnerships, and family dynamics.
  • It can be associated with low self-esteem, fear of rejection, or difficulty expressing emotions directly.
  • It can lead to deterioration of relationships and communication breakdown over time.
  • It can be addressed through assertiveness training and improved communication skills.
  • ...
• Example(s):
  • A Silent Treatment behavior where one person refuses to speak to another as punishment.
  • Deliberate Tardiness to meetings or events to express dissatisfaction indirectly.
  • Backhanded Compliments that contain subtle insults disguised as praise.
  • Procrastination on Tasks as a way to express resentment about being asked to do them.
  • Sarcastic Remarks used to convey criticism without direct confrontation.
  • ...
• Counter-Example(s):
  • Assertive Communication, which involves direct and honest expression of feelings and needs.
  • Aggressive Behavior, where hostility is expressed openly and directly.
  • Conflict Avoidance, where a person completely withdraws from potential conflicts.
  • Constructive Criticism, which provides feedback in a direct but respectful manner.
• See: Psychological Defense Mechanisms, Interpersonal Communication, Conflict Resolution, Emotional Intelligence, Psychological Manipulation

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References

2013

• (Hopwood et al., 2013) ⇒ Christopher J. Hopwood, Aidan G. C. Wright, Emily B. Ansell, and Aaron L. Pincus. (2013). "The interpersonal core of personality pathology." In: Journal of Personality Disorders, 27(3), 270-295. doi:10.1521/pedi.2013.27.3.270
  • NOTE: It provides a concise definition of passive-aggressive behaviors in the context of interpersonal pathology, emphasizing their indirect nature and the contradiction between apparent cooperation and underlying hostility.

2010

• (Wetzler & Morey, 2010) ⇒ Scott Wetzler, and Leslie C. Morey. (2010). "Passive-aggressive personality disorder: The demise of a syndrome." In: Psychiatric Clinics, 33(4), 855-874.
  • NOTE: It discusses the historical context and diagnostic criteria of passive-aggressive personality disorder, highlighting the persistent patterns of negative attitudes and passive resistance that characterize this behavior.

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