What are the characteristics of a spiteful person?

Researchers found the personality traits that were associated with spitefulness included: “aggression, psychopathy, Machiavellian-ism, narcissism, and guilt-free shame,” while the personality traits that were associated with opposite of spitefulness included: “self-esteem, guilt-proneness, agreeableness, and …

What is spiteful behavior?

When you’re spiteful, you act in a mean way, with a desire to hurt someone. If your little brother was driving you crazy, you could calmly ignore him — or you could give him a spiteful pinch. If you act or speak with the desire to hurt, bother, or infuriate someone, you are being spiteful.

How do you deal with spitefulness?

Remember, you cannot control another person’s actions but you can control your reaction. Do not continue to react in ways that encourage the behavior. Do not, say, get angry, emotional, or become overly accommodating to avoid negative feelings. Instead, work on remaining calm and emotionally disengaging.

What does spiteful person mean?

Spiteful, revengeful, vindictive refer to a desire to inflict a wrong or injury on someone, usually in return for one received. Spiteful implies a mean or malicious desire for (often petty) revenge: a spiteful attitude toward a former friend.

How do you respond to a spiteful person?

7 Smart Ways to Deal with Toxic People

1. Move on without them.
2. Stop pretending their toxic behavior is OK.
3. Speak up!
4. Put your foot down.
5. Don’t take their toxic behavior personally.
6. Practice practical compassion.
7. Take time for yourself.
8. The floor is yours…

Is spitefulness a personality trait?

The findings of the research suggest that spitefulness may be an important personality construct, said Zeigler-Hill, who co-authored the study with David K. Marcus and Alyssa L. Norris of Washington State University, and Sterett H. Mercer of University of British Columbia.

Is spiteful an emotion?

There’s no getting around it: Spite is a strong emotion, and it’s a complicated one. From a psychological perspective, it involves a desire to hurt someone else, and the actual act of being spiteful often makes people feel better about themselves.

What causes spitefulness?

The results show that some people’s personalities do make them more prone to spiteful behavior. Traits like aggressiveness and callousness closely linked to spite, while people who were more guilt-prone or conscientious were less vindictive.

What causes vindictive behavior?

They’re identified by the following characteristics: Jealousy, insecurities, and negative thoughts. Vindictive people experience this drive because of their insecurities and low self-esteem. As a matter of fact, sometimes, just seeing others succeed stirs up frustration in them and a desire to hurt.

What is a spiteful woman called?

Superstitions associated with this small mammal led people in the thirteenth century to use the word shrew to describe a spiteful person, male or female. The word later came to be used to describe a nagging, ill-tempered woman, as in William Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew.

Is it ever good to be spiteful?

Yes, you read that right and no, McCarthy-Jones is not a cowboy: psychologists and evolutionary theorists agree that there can be positives to spite. It may help enforce social norms and drive protest movements.

How do you respond to a vindictive person?

Coping with vindictiveness in your relationship

1. Set boundaries.
2. Vocalize your terms or boundaries.
3. Don’t second-guess yourself.
4. Try not to internalize.
5. Shelter from their anger.
6. Develop a safety plan.
7. Consider asking for help.
8. Suggest they seek help.