Not everyone knows what a passive-aggressive character means . Meanwhile, he has a number of distinguishing features. Let us further consider how passive aggression is manifested.
General information
Passive-aggressive personality type is characterized by a pronounced resistance to external requirements. As a rule, this is indicated by obstructive and oppositional actions. Passive-aggressive type of behavior is expressed in delay, low quality of work, “forgetting” of obligations. Often , people's actions do not meet generally accepted standards. Moreover, a passive-aggressive person resists the need to follow standards. Of course, these characteristics can be observed in other people. But with passive aggression, they become a model of behavior, a pattern. Despite the fact that this form of interaction is not considered the best, it is not too dysfunctional, but until then, until it becomes a pattern of life that impedes the achievement of goals.
Passive-aggressive person: features
People in this category try not to be pushy. They believe that direct confrontation is dangerous. By conducting a personality type test, you can identify the characteristic features of behavior. In particular, people in this category consider confrontation to be one of the ways outsiders interfere in their affairs and control. When addressing such a person with a request that he does not want to fulfill, the combination of indignation with existing external requirements and lack of self-confidence causes a reaction in a provocative manner. A passively aggressive way of communication does not imply the creation of the possibility of failure. People in this category are also outraged by obligations at school or at work. In general, those who are vested with power are seen as prone to injustice and arbitrariness. Accordingly, as a rule, they blame others for their problems. Such people cannot understand that they create difficulties by their own behavior. Researchers note that, among other things, a passive-aggressive person is easily amenable to mood changes and tend to pessimistic about what is happening. Such people focus on everything negative.
Personality test
The total pattern of resistance to standards in the professional and social spheres arises in early adulthood. It is expressed in different contexts. Passive aggression is indicated by a number of signs. Human:
- Delays work, does not fulfill what is necessary, on time.
- It becomes irritable, gloomy or begins to argue with a person asking him to do what he does not want.
- Deliberately slow or bad.
- He claims that others have increased demands on him.
- He does not fulfill his obligations, referring to forgetfulness.
- She believes that she does the work much better than what others evaluate.
- Offended by the advice that others give.
- It creates obstacles for the actions of other people, not doing their part of the work.
- Despises or criticizes those who have power.
Historical reference
Passive-aggressive behavior has been described for a long time. However, before the Second World War this concept was not used. In 1945, the War Department described the "immature reaction" as a response to the "usual military stress situation." It manifested itself in inadequacy or helplessness, passivity, outbreaks of aggression, obstructionism. In 1949, the term was present in the US Army Technical Bulletin to describe soldiers who had this pattern.
Classification
In DSM-I, the reaction was divided into three categories: passively aggressive, passively dependent and aggressive. The second was characterized by helplessness, a tendency to hold on to those around him, indecision. The first and third categories were distinguished by the reaction of people to frustration (inability to satisfy any need). The aggressive type, in a number of aspects having signs of antisocial, is irritated. His behavior is destructive. A passive-aggressive person makes a displeased face, stubbornly, begins to slow down the work, reduce its effectiveness. In DSM-II, this behavior is categorized. At the same time, aggressive and passive-dependent types are included in the group of "other disorders".
Clinical and experimental data
Despite the fact that the passive-aggressive style of behavior remains poorly understood today, at least two works set out its key characteristics. So, Kening, Trossman and Whitman examined 400 patients. They found that the most common diagnosis was precisely passive-aggressive. Moreover, 23% revealed signs of a dependent category. 19% of patients fully corresponded to the passive-aggressive type. In addition, the researchers found that PARL was observed in women half as often as in men. The traditional symptomatic picture included anxiety and depression (41% and 25%, respectively). In passive-aggressive and dependent types, open indignation was suppressed by fear of punishment or guilt. Studies have also been conducted by Moore, Alig, and Resins. They studied 100 patients with a diagnosis of passive-aggressive disorder after 7 and 15 years during the period of therapy in the hospital. Scientists have found that problems in social behavior and interpersonal relationships, along with somatic and emotional complaints, were the main symptoms. Researchers have also found that a significant proportion of patients suffer from depression and alcohol abuse.
Automatic thoughts
The conclusions that a person with PASS draws reflects his negativity, isolation, and desire to choose the path of least resistance. For example, any requests are considered as a manifestation of exactingness and importunity. The man’s reaction is that he automatically resists instead of analyzing his desire. The patient is characterized by the belief that others are trying to use it, and, if he allows it, it will become a jerk. This form of negativity extends to all thinking. The patient seeks a negative interpretation of most of the events. This applies even to positive and neutral phenomena. This manifestation distinguishes a passive-aggressive person from a patient in depression. In the latter case, people focus on self-condemnation or negative thoughts about the future surrounding. A passive-aggressive individual believes that others are trying to establish control over them without appreciating them. If a person receives a negative reaction in response, then he assumes that he was again misunderstood. Automatic thoughts indicate irritation that appears in patients. They often insist that everything should go according to a certain pattern. Such unreasonable requirements contribute to a decrease in resistance to frustration.
Typical Installations
The behavior of patients with PASS expresses their cognitive patterns. Procrastination, poor quality of work are caused by indignation at the need to fulfill duties. A person is determined that he has to do what he does not want. The attitude regarding delay is to follow the path of minimum resistance. For example, a person begins to believe that business can be postponed until later. Faced with the adverse consequences of default, he expresses dissatisfaction with others who have power. It can manifest itself in a flash of anger, but most likely passive methods of revenge will be used. For example, sabotage. In psychotherapy, behavior may be accompanied by a refusal to cooperate in treatment.
Emotions
For patients with PREV, irritation and anger will be common conditions . This fact is understandable, because people believe that they are required to comply with arbitrary standards, they are underestimated or misunderstood. Patients often fail to achieve their goals in the professional sphere, as well as in their personal lives. They are not able to understand how their behavior and existing attitudes influence the difficulties that they have. This leads to further annoyance and discontent, as they again believe that the circumstances are to blame. Patients' emotions are largely determined by their vulnerability to external control and the interpretation of requests as a desire to limit their freedom. When interacting with others, they constantly wait for the presentation of requirements and, accordingly, resist.
Prerequisites for Therapy
The main reason for patients asking for help is the complaints of others that these people do not live up to expectations. As a rule, co-workers or spouses turn to psychotherapists. Complaints of the latter are related to patients' reluctance to provide assistance in household chores. Therapists often turn to psychotherapists, dissatisfied with the quality of work performed by subordinates. Another reason for visiting a doctor is depression. The development of this condition is caused by a chronic lack of encouragement in both the professional sphere and in personal life. For example, following the path of minimal resistance, constant dissatisfaction with requirements can cause a person to be convinced that he does not succeed.
Considering the environment as a source of control also leads to the formation of a negative attitude towards the world as a whole. If circumstances arise in which patients of a passive-aggressive type, seeking independence and appreciating the freedom of their own actions, begin to believe that others are interfering in their affairs, they may develop a severe form of depression.