Hey Psych2goers! Welcome back to our channel! Have you ever met someone who was so passive-aggressive,
that you couldn’t call them out? They seemingly said nothing wrong, but the
tone they used implied something else… “You’re doing great for someone with your
kind of...experience.” Wait, what? What’s that supposed to mean? Truth is, passive-aggressive people just have
a sneaky way of using aggression, so they aren’t flat-out caught with ill intentions. Instead of handling their negative feelings,
they express them subtly through passive-aggressive actions. The term “passive-aggressive was first used
clinically in World War II. Soldiers who refused to comply with officer’s
orders were described as ‘passive-aggressive.’ Passive-aggressive behavior is characterized
by indirect resistance to the demands of others, and avoidance of direct confrontation - often
by pouting, procrastination, or misplacing important materials. So, why do people use this type of behavior? Well, here are a few of the reasons, and they
may just surprise you. ONE: They Have Passive-Aggressive Personality
Disorder Some people may even have Passive-Aggressive
Personality Disorder. While PAPD is not a medical diagnosis, the
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition explained that it
was a negativistic personality disorder and included the term PAPD as a proposed diagnosis. It is now viewed as a personality trait, personality
syndrome, or dynamic behavioral pattern that people can exhibit. According to the American Psychology Association
Passive-Aggressive Personality Disorder is “a personality disorder of long-standing
in which ambivalence toward the self and others is expressed by such means as procrastination,
dawdling, stubbornness, intentional inefficiency, “forgetting” appointments, or misplacing
important materials. These maneuvers are interpreted as passive
expressions of underlying negativism. The pattern persists even when more adaptive
behavior is clearly possible; it frequently interferes with occupational, domestic, and
academic success.” Those who often experience PAPD may have underlying
mental health conditions as well. TWO: It’s Easier Than Being Assertive Do you hate confrontation? Do you find it hard to assert yourself? Some individuals simply haven’t had enough
experiences where they’ve needed to be assertive. Many haven’t developed the social skills
necessary to assert themselves and manage their emotions. Therefore, passive-aggressive behavior is
an easy go-to when you lack the skills needed for emotional management. THREE: They Desire Revenge You’ve all seen your favorite revenge flick. Either the main protagonist is seeking sweet
revenge by targeting the villain for his wrongdoing unto them. Or, maybe your favorite antagonist seeks revenge
as well. For many, revenge is the way to go. But it’s not the healthiest. It’s hard to provide evidence for passive-aggressive
behavior. Someone who exhibits this behavior often has
a perfect excuse! So if one is seeking revenge, they may go
unnoticed by others due to the vagueness of comments or actions. The true aggressive intention remains hidden
to everyone besides the aggressor. FOUR: Anger is Not Viewed as Socially Normal Have you been taught that you shouldn’t
express your anger? Many children are told that anger is something
we should stop feeling. Childhood is a critical time in emotional
development. Being repeatedly told to suppress an emotion
can have serious consequences in development. Anger is often viewed as the unattractive
emotion we all want to hide away, but it’s important to teach children how to handle
and express their feelings. When one is not taught how to express negative
emotions in a healthy way, they could look to passive-aggressive behavior as a means
to communicate it. FIVE: Hostility with a Smile Is Less Often
Called Out So, you’re now an adult who has been constantly
told anger should not be expressed. Socially, it’s often unacceptable to openly
talk about anger. So, you find another means. What is socially acceptable? Hidden aggression said with a smile. As long as you’re smiling, you simply didn’t
‘mean it that way’. After all, the anger won’t just go away
because you ignore it, it will instead manifest in that evil grin your wearing. SIX: They Developed the Behavior in Childhood Many researchers believe that those who often
use passive-aggressive behavior learned the behavior in childhood. Child abuse, cruel punishments, and neglect
could cause a child to develop passive-aggressive behavior. Researchers also theorize that parenting style
could be a major influence. A disruption in children’s authority figures
such as parents, teachers, or caretakers could have an effect on the development of this
behavior. Learning how to assert oneself in childhood,
and even now, can help prevent this behavior. It’s important to note too that some behaviors
are often mistaken as passive-aggressive behavior. Certain health conditions have symptoms similar
to the behavior. Some associated with passive-aggressiveness
include anxiety disorders, ADHD, bipolar disorder, and depression to name a few. One can also exhibit passive-aggressive behavior
while suffering from a mental illness. This behavior has been known to compromise
successful treatment of other mental disorders. So it’s important to recognize the behavior
and work on it with a mental health professional as well. If you recognize that you often exhibit passive-aggressive
behavior, you’re already on the right step to learning how to manage anger. Some tips to implement? If you feel a negative emotion come over you,
give yourself a moment to think before you act. Attempt to calm yourself down with a few deep
breaths. Ground yourself in reality, and identify why
you feel this way. Moving forward, try to be aware of your behavior
and opt in to express your emotions in an honest, and healthy way. So, how often are you passive-aggressive? Do you have your own reasons as to why some
often use this behavior? Let us know in the comments down below. If you found this video helpful, don’t forget
to click the like button and share this video with someone who could use it. Subscribe to Psych2Go and hit the notification
bell icon for more content like this! As always, thanks for watching.
