Antipathy: Difference between revisions
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{{wiktionary}} |
{{wiktionary}} |
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'''Antipathy''' is dislike for something or somebody, the opposite of [[sympathy]]. While antipathy may be induced by |
'''Antipathy''' is dislike for something or somebody, the opposite of [[sympathy]]. While antipathy may be induced by experience, it sometimes exists without a rational cause-and-effect explanation being present to the individuals involved. |
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Thus, the origin of antipathy has been subject to various [[psychology|psychological]] explanations, which some people find convincing and others regard as highly speculative. [[Sigmund Freud]] |
Thus, the origin of antipathy has been subject to various [[psychology|psychological]] explanations, which some people find convincing and others regard as highly speculative. [[Sigmund Freud]] treated this subject. |
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==Interpersonal antipathy== |
==Interpersonal antipathy== |
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Interpersonal antipathy is often irrationally ascribed to mannerisms or certain physical characteristics, which are perceived as signs for character traits (e.g. close |
Interpersonal antipathy is often irrationally ascribed to mannerisms or certain physical characteristics, which are perceived as signs for character traits (e.g., close, deep set eyes as a sign for dullness or cruelty<ref name="Alexander1946a">Alexander, C. (1946a). Antipathy and Phobia. ''Sociometry, 9'' (2/3), 226-232.</ref>). Further, the negative feeling sometimes takes place fast and without reasoning, functioning below the level of attention, thus resembling an automatic process.<ref name="Alexander1946b">Alexander, C. (1946b). Antipathy and Social Behavior. ''The American Journal of Sociology, 51'' (4), 288-292.</ref> |
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Chester Alexander’s empirical findings suggest that an important characteristic of antipathies is that they are |
Chester Alexander’s empirical findings suggest that an important characteristic of antipathies is that they are "marginal to reflective consciousness". Alexander based this conclusion on the fact that many of the subjects of the study reported to have never thought much about their antipathies, have not tried to analyze them or discuss them with others.<ref name="Alexander1946b"/> |
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Sympathy and antipathy modify social behavior. Although it is generally assumed that antipathy causes avoidance, some empirical studies gathered evidence that an antipathetic reaction to objects was not followed by any effort to avoid future encounters.<ref name="Alexander1946a"/> |
Sympathy and antipathy modify social behavior. Although it is generally assumed that antipathy causes avoidance, some empirical studies gathered evidence that an antipathetic reaction to objects was not followed by any effort to avoid future encounters.<ref name="Alexander1946a"/> |
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===Pseudo-antipathy=== |
===Pseudo-antipathy=== |
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[[Sophie Bryant]] observed the occurrence of pseudo-antipathy. Pseudo-antipathy consists in |
[[Sophie Bryant]] observed the occurrence of pseudo-antipathy. Pseudo-antipathy consists in "the careless and arbitrary interpretation of another person’s acts and expressions in accordance with the worst side of one’s self".<ref name="Bryant1895">Bryant, S. (1895). Antipathy and Sympathy. ''Mind, 4'' (15), 365-370.</ref> In other words, we tend to project our own faults into others and hate them. Pseudo-antipathy is based on the (implicit) knowledge about the negative sides of one's own character. Sophie Bryant compares the resulting feeling with "a certain wrong-headed sense of cleansing".<ref name="Bryant1895"/> |
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==References== |
==References== |
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Revision as of 21:30, 19 January 2014
Antipathy is dislike for something or somebody, the opposite of sympathy. While antipathy may be induced by experience, it sometimes exists without a rational cause-and-effect explanation being present to the individuals involved.
Thus, the origin of antipathy has been subject to various psychological explanations, which some people find convincing and others regard as highly speculative. Sigmund Freud treated this subject.
Interpersonal antipathy
Interpersonal antipathy is often irrationally ascribed to mannerisms or certain physical characteristics, which are perceived as signs for character traits (e.g., close, deep set eyes as a sign for dullness or cruelty[1]). Further, the negative feeling sometimes takes place fast and without reasoning, functioning below the level of attention, thus resembling an automatic process.[2]
Chester Alexander’s empirical findings suggest that an important characteristic of antipathies is that they are "marginal to reflective consciousness". Alexander based this conclusion on the fact that many of the subjects of the study reported to have never thought much about their antipathies, have not tried to analyze them or discuss them with others.[2]
Sympathy and antipathy modify social behavior. Although it is generally assumed that antipathy causes avoidance, some empirical studies gathered evidence that an antipathetic reaction to objects was not followed by any effort to avoid future encounters.[1]
Pseudo-antipathy
Sophie Bryant observed the occurrence of pseudo-antipathy. Pseudo-antipathy consists in "the careless and arbitrary interpretation of another person’s acts and expressions in accordance with the worst side of one’s self".[3] In other words, we tend to project our own faults into others and hate them. Pseudo-antipathy is based on the (implicit) knowledge about the negative sides of one's own character. Sophie Bryant compares the resulting feeling with "a certain wrong-headed sense of cleansing".[3]