<p>The answer to this question is in the link to passive-aggressive behaviour I provided in your question.</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>In <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conflict_theory" rel="nofollow noreferrer">conflict theory</a>, passive-aggressive behavior can resemble a behaviour better described as <a href="https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/catty" rel="nofollow noreferrer">catty</a>, as it consists of deliberate, active, but carefully veiled hostile acts which are distinctively different in character from the non-assertive style of passive resistance.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>When faced with any hostility, most people would feel hurt</p>

<p>Examples given in the link to passive-aggressiveness in the workplace including</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>[deliberately] 'forgetting' to do something, chronic lateness, and intentional inefficiency.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>leads to others having to pick up the slack.  This not only hurts people - knowing that the passive-aggressor could have done it but didn't - but it also leads to resentment by those picking up the slack and can lead to low morale leading to more problems in the workplace.  And it can hurt anyone, not just those with obsessive/narcissistic traits.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-03-15T08:46:09.257Z
Thanks. And what about the emotional detachment. Is it correct to suppose that makes other people feel impotent and unable to defend against their passive-aggressive "enemy"?
Revious
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-03-13T23:49:29.807Z
2017-03-13T23:49:29.807Z
Chris Rogers
<p>Some people who experienced negative emotions after being forced in their childhood often develop a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passive-aggressive_behavior" rel="nofollow noreferrer">passive-aggressive behaviour</a> as a form of self defence against whoever is trying to manipulate / force them.</p>

<p>Instead of a simple assertive "no" in a dispute they tend to overreact sometimes in a passive-aggressive way, i.e. through <a href="http://evolutioncounseling.com/detached-personality/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">emotional detachment</a>. </p>

<p>They are usually aware this can hurt the person who is angry with <a href="https://cogsci.stackexchange.com/questions/13236/emotional-detachment-as-a-reaction-can-be-considered-an-aggressive-behavior">them</a> but use <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Techniques_of_neutralization" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Techniques of neutralization</a> to feel "OK".</p>

<p>But why do people tend to be hurt by this kind of passive aggressive behavior? Does this happen only to people with obsessive / narcissistic personality trait?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-03-13T17:47:41.503Z
I'm not an english native speaker, any help at improving the question is appreciated
Revious
<cognitive-psychology>
Do people feel impotent when arguing with someone able to do Emotional detachment?
Revious
# Do people feel impotent when arguing with someone able to do Emotional detachment?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2017-03-13)

Some people who experienced negative emotions after being forced in their childhood often develop a [passive-aggressive behaviour](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passive-aggressive_behavior) as a form of self defence against whoever is trying to manipulate / force them.

Instead of a simple assertive "no" in a dispute they tend to overreact sometimes in a passive-aggressive way, i.e. through [emotional detachment](http://evolutioncounseling.com/detached-personality/).

They are usually aware this can hurt the person who is angry with [them](https://cogsci.stackexchange.com/questions/13236/emotional-detachment-as-a-reaction-can-be-considered-an-aggressive-behavior) but use [Techniques of neutralization](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Techniques_of_neutralization) to feel "OK".

But why do people tend to be hurt by this kind of passive aggressive behavior? Does this happen only to people with obsessive / narcissistic personality trait?

**Tags:** cognitive-psychology

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: I'm not an english native speaker, any help at improving the question is appreciated  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2017-03-13. Score: 2

The answer to this question is in the link to passive-aggressive behaviour I provided in your question.

> In [conflict theory](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conflict_theory), passive-aggressive behavior can resemble a behaviour better described as [catty](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/catty), as it consists of deliberate, active, but carefully veiled hostile acts which are distinctively different in character from the non-assertive style of passive resistance.

When faced with any hostility, most people would feel hurt

Examples given in the link to passive-aggressiveness in the workplace including

> [deliberately] 'forgetting' to do something, chronic lateness, and intentional inefficiency.

leads to others having to pick up the slack. This not only hurts people - knowing that the passive-aggressor could have done it but didn't - but it also leads to resentment by those picking up the slack and can lead to low morale leading to more problems in the workplace. And it can hurt anyone, not just those with obsessive/narcissistic traits.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Thanks. And what about the emotional detachment. Is it correct to suppose that makes other people feel impotent and unable to defend against their passive-aggressive "enemy"?  

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