What causes a person to be passive-aggressive?

Passive aggression often stems from underlying anger, sadness, or insecurity, of which the person may or may not be consciously aware. Passive-aggressive behavior may be an expression of those emotions or an attempt to gain control in a relationship.


What triggers passive-aggressive people?

Passive-aggressive behavior can stem from a fear of confrontation or rejection, low self-esteem, and poor coping skills. While it can be highly damaging to relationships, it is possible to learn more assertive communication strategies.

What are the characteristics of a passive-aggressive person?

Specific signs of passive-aggressive behavior include:
  • Resentment and opposition to the demands of others, especially the demands of people in positions of authority.
  • Resistance to cooperation, procrastination and intentional mistakes in response to others' demands.
  • Cynical, sullen or hostile attitude.


What type of person is passive-aggressive?

A passive-aggressive person may deny that they feel angry to avoid a direct confrontation and uncomfortable feelings. A passive-aggressive person is a master of hinting at their feelings without expressing them directly.

What does a passive-aggressive person want?

People who behave passive-aggressively do not want others to notice or respond to their aggression, but they still want to communicate their emotions. There is no single method that works for all types of passive-aggressive behavior.


Why Are Some People Passive Aggressive?



Do passive-aggressive people know they are?

Many people don't realize that they're being passive-aggressive. The behavior may feel "normal" to them. Or they might think it's the best way to avoid hurting someone's feelings or to prevent something bad from happening, like losing their job. Everyone can behave passive aggressively from time to time.

How do you outsmart a passive-aggressive person?

Here are ways to successfully deal with passive-aggressive people.
  1. Pay attention to passive-aggressive behavior. ...
  2. Call out the specific behavior. ...
  3. Stay present. ...
  4. Be open and inclusive to communication. ...
  5. Recognize your own passive-aggression. ...
  6. Remove yourself from the situation the best you can.


What is the most passive-aggressive thing to say?

Sarcasm is the most obvious form of passive aggression, and possibly the most hurtful. Your audience may have no idea that you're upset, much less why you're upset. You're just dumping your feelings on them with little context.


Is passive-aggressive the same as narcissism?

It's important to note that not all passive-aggressive individuals are narcissistic. What characterizes the passive-aggressive narcissist is their barely disguised sense of superiority, conceit, and entitlement. They are inclined to become covertly hostile when they don't get their way, no matter how unreasonable.

Is being passive-aggressive a form of Gaslighting?

The most obvious example of passive-aggressive behavior can be experienced when someone is gaslighting you and being emotionally manipulative. But it can happen in smaller ways, too, even with people you love and care about or see every day.

What are examples of passive-aggressive comments?

The worst passive-aggressive phrases, ranked
  • “You're too sensitive.”
  • “Why are you getting so upset?”
  • “No offense, but…”
  • “Whatever—”
  • “If that's what you want to do…”


Is being passive-aggressive manipulative?

Passive-aggressive behavior, in my opinion, is the most destructive to the health of a relationship. It is a form of manipulation. It's indirect and dishonest.

Is there a cure for passive-aggressive behavior?

There is no specific treatment for PAPD. However, a psychologist or counselor may often help people learn ways to identify, address, and stop engaging in these contradictory behaviors and actions. People who think they may have PAPD should consult a healthcare professional as soon as possible.

Do passive-aggressive people have low self esteem?

Research confirms that behind passive aggressive and active aggressive behavior lies low self-esteem. People with low self-esteem will sometimes use anger when they feel like their opinions and feelings do not mean much.


Is it toxic to be passive-aggressive?

Passive-aggressive behavior can be toxic to workplace relationships, friendships, and family ties.

Is Silent Treatment passive-aggressive?

Silent treatment fails to satisfy these longings and also reflects withholding and emotional abandonment. It is a cutting form of passive aggression. Additionally, engaging in silent treatment as an adult has been found to be associated with experiencing parental silent treatment (Rittenour, et. al., 2019).

Is passive-aggressive condescending?

Condescending comments, put-downs and sarcasm — all hallmarks of passive-aggressive behavior — contribute to an environment of incivility, according to experts. Left unchecked, latent contempt can erode morale and contribute to burnout, even if you otherwise enjoy your job.


Is passive-aggressive sarcasm?

Sarcasm is on the most common manifestations of passive aggressiveness. If this person makes a comment that upsets you and this is what follows, then you know it wasn't a joke at all. The person meant what was said but is backing away to cover up his or her true feelings.

How do you communicate with a passive-aggressive person?

5 ways to respond to a passive-aggressive person
  1. Remaining calm. ...
  2. Asking questions. ...
  3. Gaining perspective. ...
  4. Setting clear boundaries. ...
  5. Communicating. ...
  6. Taking a break… from them.


What is a passive-aggressive question?

They ask questions that make you feel defensive.

Instead of asking, "What does that involve?" or saying, "I've heard about keto diets, but don't know much about them," or even just, "How is that going for you?" a passive-aggressive person might say, "Why did you ever decide to do that?"


What type of person gives the silent treatment?

Avoidance: In some cases, people stay silent in a conversation because they do not know what to say or want to avoid conflict. Communication: A person may use the silent treatment if they do not know how to express their feelings but want their partner to know that they are upset.

Do passive-aggressive people want control?

Passive-aggressive communication seeks to control the emotions of others and thereby, control their behavior. Typically, this communication style seeks to express anger in an indirect manner. By doing so the individual is able to deny all responsibility for the anger yet they score a direct hit on their target.

What are passive-aggressive tactics?

Other examples of passive-aggressive behavior may include avoiding direct or clear communication, evading problems, fear of intimacy or competition, making excuses, blaming others, obstructionism, playing the victim, feigning compliance with requests, sarcasm, backhanded compliments, and hiding anger.


What is the most passive-aggressive response?

Sarcasm is the most obvious form of passive aggression, and possibly the most hurtful. Your audience may have no idea that you're upset, much less why you're upset. You're just dumping your feelings on them with little context.

What does passive-aggressive do to a relationship?

The main effect of passive-aggressive behaviour on a relationship is usually to create a sense of mistrust between the two people involved. It can create an environment where neither partner feels able to express emotions directly, and may indeed continue to use passive-aggression to do so.