Negativism - causes, symptoms, treatment

Various forms of resistance

In psychology, the phenomenon of negativism is divided into two forms of manifestation: passive and active. The active form of this behavioral model involves the manifestation of aggression and sharp resistance to attempts to influence by the public. Negativism has a close connection with nonconformism, which forces a person to perform actions that, in certain cases, are contrary to his desires.

The passive form of the phenomenon under consideration is characterized by a complete refusal to fulfill the demands and requests of people around. There are physiological types of manifestation of this personality disorder, which manifest themselves in the form of refusal to eat, sleep, move and contact with others. According to experts, negativism is one of the integral components of the complex of protesting behavior. In addition to negativism itself, this complex includes stubbornness, which has justified motives.

Despite the fact that stubbornness is one of the manifestations of the phenomenon under consideration, with negativism a person does not have specific motives for resisting. The only thing that connects the two manifestations of the protest behavior syndrome is the presence of common subjective factors that lead to their development.

Negativism in psychology is a condition in which a person refuses to adhere to established social foundations and norms of behavior. Such a protest has certain similarities with mutism. The term “mutism” should be understood as a mental disorder that forces a person to abandon the use of speech and gestures in order to avoid communication with others. The main difference between these conditions is that mutism manifests itself against the background of severe emotional trauma.

The final component of the complex of protesting behavior is obstinacy. Unlike negativism and stubbornness, obstinacy is aimed at various social principles, including important events or the very system of human values.

The most characteristic feature of this resistance is its groundlessness, the absence of reasonable grounds for it.

Despite the fact that stubbornness is one of the manifestations of the phenomenon under consideration, with negativism a person does not have specific motives for resisting. The only thing that connects the two manifestations of the protest behavior syndrome is the presence of common subjective factors that lead to their development.

Forms of behavioral activity

The term "negativism" is often used in pedagogy. It is used in relation to children who are characterized by an oppositional manner of activity in relations with older people and those who should be an authority for them (parents, grandparents, educators, teachers, lecturers).

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In psychology, in connection with the concept of negativism, two main forms of behavioral activity of the subject are considered:

1. Active negativism is a form of individual behavior in which he sharply and quite zealously expresses his resistance in response to any attempts at external influence on him. Subtypes of this form of negativism are physiological (a person’s protest is expressed in refusal to eat, unwillingness to do or say something) and paradoxical (intentional desire to do something the opposite) manifestations.

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2. Passive negativism is a form of behavior expressed in the individual’s absolute ignoring of requests or demands. In a child in everyday life, this form manifests itself in the form of a refusal to do what was asked, even if the denial goes against his own desires. For example, when a child is offered food, but he stubbornly refuses.

The negativism observed in children deserves special attention. This is due to the fact that the child often uses this form of resistance, opposing it to an imaginary or actually existing negative attitude towards him on the part of adults. In such situations, negative attitudes become permanent and manifest themselves in the form of whims, aggression, isolation, rudeness, etc.

The reasons for the negativism manifested in children include, first of all, dissatisfaction with certain of their needs and desires. Expressing his need for approval or communication and not receiving a response, the child becomes immersed in his experiences. As a result, psychological irritation begins to develop, against the background of which negativism manifests itself.

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As the child grows up, he will become aware of the nature of his experiences, and this, in turn, will allow negative emotions to manifest themselves much more often. Prolonged blocking and ignoring of a child's needs by adults and parents can lead to denial becoming a permanent feature of his character.

Reason for behavior change

According to experts, negativism is an integral component of complex mental disorders. These disorders include catatonic syndrome, schizophrenia, dementia and autism. Often, a person, under the influence of prolonged depression, changes his own behavior pattern towards the phenomenon in question.

Most often, this condition occurs against the background of a long-term inability to satisfy one’s own needs. In such a state, a person negatively perceives the environment and life circumstances. Against the background of such a perception of the world around us, a person experiences psychological discomfort, which is reflected in the behavioral model.

The desire to change social foundations and refusal to comply with established norms may arise against the background of the difficulty of integration into society. The presence of this problem leads to a hypercompensatory reaction, which is triggered against the background of communication difficulties. The model of behavior in question can be expressed by furious stubbornness to any attempt to exert external pressure.

If a person with the disorder in question feels that the demands of society differ significantly from his internal needs, a kind of defensive reaction will be triggered. Experts explain this fact by the fact that the individual needs freedom of expression and the ability to control his own life.

How are negativism and age related?

Before we talk about the relationship between a person’s age and his behavioral model, let’s pay attention to the question of what nonconformism is, the definition and manifestation of this condition. The term “nonconformism” should be understood as a model of behavior that implies upholding personal attitudes that directly contradict the norms established in society. A striking example of such a model of behavior are children who consider themselves to be members of various subcultures (punks, goths and other informals).

According to statistics, a person faces several age-related crises throughout his life. This period of life will mark changes in behavior patterns and perception of the world around us, which manifests itself in the form of frequent emotional swings. During an age crisis, a person exhibits increased conflict, aggressiveness and a pessimistic perception of the world around him.

Negativism is caused by the action of psychological defense in response to influences that contradict the internal meanings of the subject
. According to scientific research, the vast majority of age-related crises manifest themselves between the ages of one month and twenty years. Let's look at the most common crises:

• newborn crisis;
• crisis of the first year of life and three years;
• school crisis;
• puberty crisis.

Definition

The term "negativism" comes from the Latin "negativus", meaning negativity. The phenomenon is associated with a disorder of the will and is characterized by a tendency to refuse and act contrary to the demands, requests and desires of others. Most often, the symptom manifests itself with catatonic agitation and stupor.

During agitation, people with a movement disorder may notice an increase in mental activity, when behavior begins to manifest itself as monotony, stereotyping, meaninglessness and impulsiveness. During stupor, patients with movement disorder experience complete immobility and a weakened response to stimuli.

In a stupor, a person does not come into contact with other people and stops reacting to events; patients are most often in the same position with tense muscles, frozen in some position. Negativism can manifest itself both with catatonic excitement and stupor and can be active or passive.

Usually the phenomenon manifests itself in unmotivated resistance to any requests regarding any actions, movements, or pronouncing phrases. Over time, negativism becomes an obstacle to a person’s adaptation to the surrounding world of constant communications.

German psychiatrist Ernt Kretschmer (1888-1964) believed that negativism is closely related to hypobulicism, the lowest type of volitional attitude, which manifests itself when the target will is weakened, which is no longer capable of leading a person.

The researcher believed that hypobulic acts during times of severe mental turmoil, illness, and also in situations where a person cannot fulfill the inflated demands and expectations placed on him.

A different definition of negativism is given by the Swiss psychiatrist Eugen Bleuler (1857-1939), who attributed the following to the phenomenon of negativism:

• ambition, that is, a violation of the will, which is characterized by simultaneously arising opposite impulses (for example, to make and not to make a movement when following instructions);
• ambivalence, a contradictory attitude towards an object or an ambivalent experience caused by an individual or an object, which is distinguished by simultaneously arising contradictory feelings;
• schizophrenic splitting of the psyche, characterized by the inability to draw a conclusion from contradictory beliefs, when an inadequate impulse can easily replace an adequate one.

These signs were criticized by K.G. Jung in his work "Critique of Bleuler's theory of schizophrenic negativism", who believed that a negative reaction is determined by a strict sequence of psychological causes, pointing out Bleuler's incorrect use of the term "abvivalence".

How does negativism manifest itself in childhood?

Negativism in children most often manifests itself at the age of three, since the foundation of a personal model of behavior is laid precisely at this age. Upon reaching the above age, children begin to strive for independence, which leads to the appearance of categoricalness and stubbornness. This period can best be described using the phrase “I myself.”

Young parents should be able to distinguish between the manifestation of the phenomenon in question and ordinary disobedience. Refusal of actions that the baby does not want to perform is the norm for this age. The phenomenon under consideration manifests itself in cases where a child shows a pronounced refusal to fulfill requests voiced by adults.

Total epidemic!

The most common form of negativism, which is almost impossible to diagnose, is directed inward. Sometimes a person is not able to notice how he wants one thing, but does the exact opposite. Certain traits of negativism are inherent in everyone.

More than 9,000 people have gotten rid of their psychological problems using this technique.

Negativism is most pronounced in children and adolescents. Small children refuse to obey their parents, eat, collect toys, or go to bed. In adolescence, the aggravation is repeated: young people reject previous generations, “we will go our own way!”, the desire to do everything in their own way. The reasons in both cases are the same: protection of one’s own “I”, manifestation of individuality and the desire to prove one’s autonomy and independence.

Clinical picture

Negativism is a symptom of a crisis caused by the transition to a certain stage of human development. In addition, this condition is characteristic of many mental disorders. The form of manifestation of this behavior model depends on the type of negativism (passive or active), and can be expressed either by demonstrative insubordination or passive resistance. Many people suffering from this disorder often ignore the recommendations of specialists, which greatly complicates the treatment process.

Negativism most often manifests itself in children in relation to the demands of adults who do not take into account their internal needs.

Negativism manifests itself in the human behavior model in the form of the following signs:

1. Difficulty creating communication connections and interacting with people around you.
2. Hot temper, isolation and conflict.
3. Mistrust and increased anxiety.
4. A rare desire to make concessions despite one’s own opinion.

In adulthood, manifestations of negativism are very similar to nihilism. Nihilism is a certain model of worldview, which is characterized as a conscious human choice. People with negativism, unlike nihilists, do not have the ability to control their own behavior.

Experts say that it is extremely difficult to describe the internal perception of the world around a person suffering from negativism, due to the fact that this model of behavior is perceived as the norm. This disorder can be characterized as the presence of difficulties in the formation of needs and desires. Often the development of the disorder is accompanied by internal conflicts and aggression directed at oneself. In the passive form of the disorder, patients experience retardation of consciousness, bordering on indifference to events occurring around them.

Bottom line

Negativism is a normal development of any person who gradually becomes aware of himself, his desires and needs. It all starts at 2-3 years old and continues throughout life. Negativism can clearly manifest itself during problematic or stressful periods in life, as well as during age-related crises. The rest of the time it becomes either situational or a permanent phenomenon, which depends on the development of the individual himself.

Negativism should be treated with condescension, since it is often expressed in situations of a person’s reluctance to follow social rules or desires. However, the consequences are important. If negativism affects the freedom and desires of other people, then it becomes harmful. If negativism does not harm or infringe on anyone, then you can allow it to manifest itself.

A person does not always have to follow society. The environment offers conditions in which a person can live and exist peacefully. Submission to social rules allows everyone to live in peace and stability. However, the public does not always correspond to the personal. Much depends on how much the rights and freedom of others will be affected. It's okay to behave negatively as long as it doesn't harm anyone. Then society will condescendingly perceive the negativism of such a manifestation.

How to deal with the problem

Examples of nonconformism are often found in our lives. Examples of such behavior in society can be various coups d'etat, when people who disagree with the established order try to impose their own values ​​on society. Unlike nonconformism, negativism more often manifests itself in everyday life not related to the public.

In the case of preschool children, various mental correction methods are used, based on the format of games and fairy tales. When negativism appears in adolescence, cognitive-behavioral techniques are used. It is very important to be able to find the necessary thread that will allow you to make contact with a teenager who is isolated in his own world.

It is important for parents to understand that psychological pressure exerted on a child can only lead to a worsening of the situation. Threats and physical punishment will force the child to withdraw into his own world. Experts recommend using a soft impact technique that is based on compromises. Parents should try to initiate conflicts with their children as little as possible.

The main goal of therapy is to teach the child to interact correctly with the world around him by instilling positive behavior patterns. Achieving results in changing your own behavioral model should be accompanied by praise and understanding. Positive reinforcement plays an important role for an incompletely formed psyche.

Negativism can be expressed both in the refusal to fulfill the requirements, and in the performance of actions opposite to the required

Specific behavior and the main reasons for its manifestation

Negativism as a form of human behavioral activity can be a character trait or a situational quality. It can manifest itself in the form of demonstrably expressed dissatisfaction, in a tendency to negative thinking and statements, in seeing only their shortcomings in those around them, in an unfriendly attitude.

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If we assume that a person is a programmable being, then it becomes clear what is the factor that provokes negativism. From the moment of birth and throughout childhood, an individual receives many different attitudes from the outside. In this way, his consciousness is formed and certain reactions are developed.

What is negativism?

Negativism is such human behavior that is aimed at demonstrative opposition to the social, generally accepted and normal. Wanting to express his opinion, follow his desires, live according to his own discretion, a person correlates his behavior with what is expected. If a person's behavior is considered abnormal, wrong or immoral in society, then it is not welcomed. If a person does not want to change his behavior and adjust it to social expectations, then it is called negativism.

Negativism manifests itself from early childhood. And the further a person grows up, the more variations of negativism he tries and applies. In children, negativism often manifests itself in:

1. Deviant behavior.
2. Confronting authorities.
3. Disobedience.
4. Stubbornness.
5. Conflicts.

Negativism can be a personality trait or a situational phenomenon. It depends on the reasons why negativism manifests itself. A person can, in principle, behave differently from what society wants him to do. However, an individual may have attitudes to be stubborn or confrontational in certain situations or in relationships with specific people. Negativism is a persistent behavior in certain situations or relationships with people.

Negativism was originally a purely psychiatric phenomenon, which manifested itself in the constant confrontational behavior of an individual under the influence of autism or schizophrenic disorder. However, it soon moved to psychology, where it is considered as a feature of the behavior of healthy people.

Negativism manifests itself in any person. Sooner or later, everyone is faced with situations where they have to choose between public expectations and their own needs and desires. Psychology views negativism as opposition to external influences. This is a feature of behavior that manifests itself when a person is influenced from the outside and in conflict with his desires, interests, views and emotions.

Negativism is unreasonable, unreasonable and causeless behavior that a person sometimes cannot explain. Sometimes negativism becomes a defensive behavior, a way to avoid a conflict situation.

Negativism is divided into:

1. Active – direct refusal to perform expected actions.
2. Passive – failure to fulfill requests at all.

Typically, negativism is a situational phenomenon. In a certain situation, a person begins to protest and defend his position before society. However, with the constant need to show negativism, this becomes a character trait or sustainable behavior. A person already, in principle, becomes conflicted, who has a negative attitude towards people, the world as a whole, and situations. He becomes unable to adequately and calmly respond to the surrounding reality, so he is always ready to defend himself, defend himself, attack, be aggressive, etc.

Negativism often manifests itself due to:

1. Age crisis.
2. Depression.
3. Addictions.
4. Age-related changes.
5. Stressful life.
6. The beginning of the development of mental illness.

Negativism can manifest itself at the level of:

• Verbalists. A person refuses, aggressively, or demonstrates an unwillingness to submit to external pressure directly at the level of words.
• Behaviors.
• Intrapersonal protest. The person does not outwardly demonstrate any behavior, and often simply does nothing and remains silent. Negativism arises due to a person’s perception of surrounding behavior and attitudes as an unwillingness to understand and accept it.

Negativism can manifest itself in relation to life itself. It is perceived as a problem, a constant struggle, a conflict. If a person perceives life as an eternal struggle or problem, then he has a negative attitude towards it, which naturally makes him behave inappropriately, go against and resist.

Cause and effect

Such situations in psychology are considered difficult, but not critical. Timely professional techniques will help identify, eliminate and prevent negative trends in the subject’s behavior.

At the same time, you should not think that negativism is a trait characteristic only of children. Negativism often manifests itself in adolescents, adults and even older people. The reasons for the manifestation of negative attitudes in response to external stimuli can be changes in the social life of an individual, psychological trauma, stressful situations and periods of crisis.

To identify formed negative attitudes and prevent their development in the future, a psychological diagnosis of a potential patient should be carried out. Next comes work to eliminate or mitigate the subject’s negative manifestations. First, the original problem that provoked the development of a negative attitude is eradicated.

In addition, pressure on the individual is eliminated so that he can “unblock” and assess the real situation. Adults will be helped by the technique of self-knowledge, when, while working with a psychologist, a person is immersed in his own memories and can find the reason for his dissatisfaction in order to eliminate the consequences.

How to solve a problem?

You can eliminate manifestations of negativism by getting to the roots. To do this, it is necessary to carry out a general reorganization of the psyche. A good psychotherapist will help with this. It takes years to understand yourself. For efficiency, you can use the Turbo-Suslik system. It is focused on independent practical application. Its advantage is that it not only eliminates the external manifestations of the problem, but also works with its foundations. Turbo-Suslik carries out total cleaning, individually. Serious results are visible within a few months.

If you don’t want to give up and are ready to really, and not in words, fight for your full and happy life, you may be interested in this article .

The concept of negativism and its relationship with age

A negative attitude towards the surrounding reality manifests itself in three main features:

• stubbornness;
• isolation;
• coarseness.

The passive type is characterized by ignoring, non-participation, inactivity, in other words, a person simply does not respond to the requests and comments of other people.

Active negativism manifests itself in verbal and physical aggression, defiance, demonstrative behavior, antisocial acts and deviant behavior. This type of negative response is often observed during adolescence.

Children's negativism is a kind of rebellion, a protest against parents, peers, and teachers. This phenomenon is often observed during age-related crises, and, as is known, childhood is rich in them like no other stage. In general, from birth to adolescence, there are 5 ages in which the crisis manifests itself:

• newborn period;
• one year old;
• 3 years of age - “I myself” crisis;
• 7 years of age;
• adolescence (from 11-15 years).

The age crisis is understood as the transition from one age to another, which is characterized by changes in the cognitive sphere, sudden changes in mood, aggressiveness, a tendency to conflict, decreased ability to work and decline in intellectual activity. Negativism is not present in all age periods of child development; it is more often observed at the age of three years and in adolescents. Thus, we can distinguish 2 phases of children's negativism:

• Phase 1 – period of 3 years;
• Phase 2 – adolescence.

With prolonged dissatisfaction of life's needs, frustration develops, which causes psychological discomfort of the individual. To compensate for this condition, a person resorts to negative emotional manifestations, physical and verbal aggression, especially in adolescence.

The very first age period in which a negative attitude towards others arises is the age of 3 years, junior preschool age. The crisis of this age has another name - “I myself,” which implies the child’s desire to act independently and choose what he wants. At the age of three, a new cognitive process begins to form - will.

Reasons for negativism

Psychologists identify the following causes of negativism:

1. Mental illnesses.
2. Character traits.
3. Incorrect parenting.
4. Destruction of values.
5. Crises of age.
6. Psychotraumatic situations.

Negativism develops when a person is unsure of himself, helpless, and does not have sufficient knowledge and skills to solve emerging situations. This leads to infantilism, when an individual is unable to resolve conflicts, solve problems, argue his position, protect personal boundaries, and cope with failures. A contradiction arises here, where a person chooses to give up the need to achieve goals. It is easier for him to refuse than to recognize the problem and solve it.

Negativism is quite normal, which manifests itself at the beginning of a conflict or problematic situation. A person does not yet have the necessary knowledge, skills or experience, so he reacts reflexively. However, as the problem is solved and difficulties are overcome, he returns to his stable state.

This is possible during crisis periods of age, when a person is changing his life and is still gaining new experience that is associated with changes. It's normal to be negativistic as you solve problems. However, if a person chooses to escape from problems, then he develops persistent negative behavior in such situations.

In childhood, negativism can also manifest itself for the following reasons:

1. Parental overprotection.
2. The child’s lack of independence in overcoming his life’s problems.