negativism

negativism
A tendency to do the opposite of what one is requested to do, or to stubbornly resist for no apparent reason; seen in catatonic states and in toddlers.

* * *

neg·a·tiv·ism 'neg-ət-iv-.iz-əm n
1) an attitude of mind marked by skepticism about nearly everything affirmed by others
2) a tendency to refuse to do, to do the opposite of, or to do something at variance with what is asked

* * *

n.
behaviour that is the opposite of that suggested by others. In active negativism the individual does the opposite of what he is asked (for example, he screws his eyes up when asked to open them). This is uncommon in adult life and is usually associated with other features of catatonia. In passive negativism the person fails to cooperate (for example, he does not eat). This occurs in schizophrenia and depression.

* * *

neg·a·tiv·ism (negґə-tĭ-viz″əm) resistance or opposition to advice, suggestions, or commands; e.g., in catatonic schizophrenia patients may lower their arms if asked to raise them or may resist efforts to move them.

Medical dictionary. 2011.

Игры ⚽ Нужно решить контрольную?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • negativism — NEGATIVÍSM s.n. 1. Atitudine de ignorare voită sau de respingere sistematică şi fără discernământ a ceva care de fapt are şi elemente pozitive. 2. Simptom care apare în unele boli mintale şi care se caracterizează prin tendinţa bolnavului de a se …   Dicționar Român

  • Negativism — may refer to: Pessimism A trait of catatonic stupor See also Negative (disambiguation) Negativity (disambiguation) This disambiguation page lists articles associated with the same title. If an …   Wikipedia

  • negativism — (n.) 1824, the policy of opposition; see NEGATIVE (Cf. negative) + ISM (Cf. ism). In a psychological sense, it is attested from 1892 …   Etymology dictionary

  • negativism — [neg′ə tiv iz΄əm] n. 1. an attitude or system of thought characterized by doubt and question, rather than approval and acceptance 2. Psychol. an attitude characterized by ignoring, resisting, or opposing suggestions or orders coming from other… …   English World dictionary

  • negativism — n. behaviour that is the opposite of that suggested by others. In active negativism the individual does the opposite of what he is asked (for example, he screws his eyes up when asked to open them). In psychosis it is usually associated with… …   The new mediacal dictionary

  • negativism — noun Date: 1824 1. an attitude of mind marked by skepticism especially about nearly everything affirmed by others 2. a tendency to refuse to do, to do the opposite of, or to do something at variance with what is asked • negativist noun or… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • negativism — negativist, n. negativistic, adj. /neg euh ti viz euhm/, n. 1. a negative or pessimistic attitude. 2. Psychol. a tendency to resist external commands, suggestions, or expectations, or internal stimuli, as hunger, by doing nothing or something… …   Universalium

  • negativism — noun a) A persistent pessimistic or skeptical attitude. b) A stubborn tendency to do the opposite of what one is asked …   Wiktionary

  • negativism — Synonyms and related words: abnegation, alienation, arrest, arrestation, arrestment, autism, autistic thinking, avoidance mechanism, blame shifting, blockage, blocking, challenge, check, clogging, closing up, closure, combative reaction,… …   Moby Thesaurus

  • negativísm — s. n …   Romanian orthography

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”