Knowra Contempt Contempt Contempt is a judgment that another person is inferior or unworthy of respect. It combines negative evaluation with psychological distance or disregard.
Appraisal theory : A family of theories explaining emotions through evaluations of events and their significance. Contempt arises when someone appraises another person as beneath respect or regard.
Gottman method : A research-informed approach to couples therapy developed by John and Julie Gottman. Its relationship research identifies contempt as a particularly damaging pattern between partners.
Paul Ekman : An American psychologist known for research on facial expressions and the study of emotion. His work helped establish contempt as a candidate for a distinct facial expression.
Respect : Recognition of another person’s worth, rights, abilities, or standing. Respect grants consideration that contempt denies.
Anger : An emotion of displeasure and readiness to oppose a perceived offense or obstacle. Anger often targets a changeable wrong, while contempt treats the person as inferior.
Interpersonal communication : The exchange of information and meaning between people through verbal and nonverbal signals. Contempt communicates disregard through words, tone, facial expression, and dismissive behavior.
John Gottman : An American psychologist whose research examines couples, relationships, and marital stability. His studies linked expressed contempt with serious difficulty in romantic relationships.
Scorn : A feeling or expression of disdain toward someone regarded as deserving ridicule or rejection. Scorn is a close neighbor of contempt, often expressed more openly through ridicule.
Disgust : An aversive response to contaminants, offensive substances, or perceived violations of norms. Disgust rejects or avoids; contempt additionally ranks its target as socially inferior.
Stigma : A social process that marks people as discredited and subjects them to devaluation or exclusion. Contempt can reinforce stigma by treating a person or group as beneath respect.
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