Concepts
Health psychology/Defence mechanisms · Immature
Passive aggression
What it means
Expressing aggression toward others indirectly, through non-compliance, procrastination or inefficiency.
Worked example
A resentful employee chronically "forgets" tasks and turns up late rather than voicing complaint.
In the exam
Angry at being overlooked, an employee never openly objects but quietly misses deadlines, "forgets" instructions and arrives late.
What settles it
Passive aggression channels hostility indirectly. Acting out discharges it directly through overt (often destructive) behaviour.
Classically confused with
Acting out
Source: AMBOSS