Passive-Aggressive[edit]
The Passive-Aggressive style incorporates aspects of both passive and aggressive communication styles. Individuals utilizing this style appear passive, but act out their anger in indirect ways.[8] People who develop this style of communication usually feel powerless, resentful, and or stuck.[10] A passive-aggressive individual exposes their anger through means of procrastination, being exaggeratedly forgetful, and or being intentionally inefficient, among other things.[6]
There are many behavioral characteristics that are identified with this communication style. These behavioral characteristics include, but are not limited to: sarcasm, being unreliable, frequent complaining, sulking, patronizing, and gossiping.[8] Non-verbal behaviors, such as posture or facial expression, can also reflect passive-aggressive communication.
Typically, individuals engaging in passive-aggressive communication have asymmetrical posture and display jerky or quick gestures.[8] They may also have an innocent facial expression and act excessively friendly to conceal their anger or frustration.[8] People on the receiving end of passive-aggressive communication are usually left confused, angry, and hurt.[8] They tend to be alienated from others because they elicit these unpleasant feelings.[10] A passive-aggressive communication style does not address and properly deal with the pertinent issues or problems. This maladaptive problem-solving style keeps passive-aggressive communicators in a state of powerlessness, resulting in continued passive-aggression.[10]
Examples of Passive-Aggressive Language/Behavior include: wistful statements, backhanded compliments, purposefully ignoring or saying nothing, leaving someone out, sabotaging someone, and muttering to oneself instead of confronting the issue.