What mechanism involves expressing socially unacceptable anger through a lack of cooperation?

Passive aggression is a defense mechanism characterized by the indirect expression of hostility, often in ways that appear non-confrontational or even compliant. Individuals who exhibit passive-aggressive behavior may not openly express their anger but instead show it through actions that convey irritability or resistance. This can include behaviors like procrastination, sulking, or deliberately failing to cooperate in situations where cooperation is expected.

The mechanism allows individuals to express their anger in a socially acceptable guise, as they remain outwardly compliant while simultaneously undermining the situation through subtle, uncooperative actions. This behavior often stems from an inability or unwillingness to express feelings of anger directly and can create confusion in interpersonal relationships.

Repression, displacement, and projection serve different roles in emotional responses. Repression involves burying unwanted feelings in the subconscious, while displacement redirects emotions toward a less threatening target. Projection involves attributing one’s own undesirable feelings or thoughts to others. None of these alternative mechanisms capture the essence of expressing unacceptable anger through non-cooperative behaviors quite like passive aggression does.