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Background
What is aggressive behaviour? Aggression, being aggressive or demonstrating aggressive behaviour is a description that we use to describe the visible behaviours that another person demonstrates. The behaviour is often described alongside other types of behaviour such as passive behaviour, passive-aggressive behaviour and assertive behaviour.
What is Aggressive Behaviour?
Aggressive behaviour is normally a gut-based or natural reaction to an internal or external event that triggers an emotional feeling which results in aggressive behaviour being demonstrated. There is no ‘fixed list’ of traits that would define aggressive behaviour and therefore help us to ultimately answer the question of what is aggressive behaviour.
There are some general traits though which are demonstrated through the 3 main elements that we use to communicate – body language, voice and words.
Aggressive Body Language
Examples of aggressive body language may include:
- Sharp, angular gestures – making gestures that are not smooth, for example chopping hands, banging one fist against an open hand, finger-pointing or waving fists
- Space invading – getting too close to someone else
- Eyeballing – intense eye contact or staring
- Frowning – clenching the eyes together and tightening the lips
Aggressive Voice
- Examples of aggressive voice may include:
- Loud – shouting or voice raised above its normal level
- Forceful – directive and demanding
- Sneering – growling or snigg*ring while speaking
Aggressive Words
- Stop It
- Don’t
- Won’t
- Can’t
- Do it NOW
- It’s your fault
- You Always
Common Aggressive Mis-Conceptions
While the above behaviours are very general and would be widely recognised by most, aggression doesn’t always have to be loud and in your face. Being overly directive or instructive or too action-orientated could also be perceived as being aggressive. As could being defensive or argumentative/standing your ground.
The issue is that because it’s behavioural, something you may deem to be not aggressive may actually be perceived as being aggressive by someone else.
The Alternative to Aggression
If you find that you are aggressive or have been provided with some feedback that you are too aggressive then looking at alternative types of behaviour to get your message across will be very beneficial to you. For example, assertiveness is a great behaviour to master. Often misunderstood in that only passive people need to be more assertive, assertiveness can help you to communicate in a direct, confident and clear way which tends to get results, maintains relationships and generates 2-way respect.
Further Learning
If you would like to learn more about aggressive behaviour and the question of what is aggressive behaviour then attending an Assertiveness Skills training course can help. Take a look at our Assertiveness Training course for more details.
FAQs
Aggressive communication is described as expressing your feelings and opinions strongly and as they occur. Clients were taught the verbal characteristics of aggressive communication (eg, shouting, yelling, demanding, commanding, blaming, being critical, or being verbally abusive).
What is the definition of aggressive behavior? ›
Aggression, according to social psychology, describes any behavior or act aimed at harming a person or animal or damaging physical property. A few examples of aggressive acts: acts of physical violence. shouting, swearing, and harsh language.
What are 3 characteristics that describe an aggressive communicator? ›
Aggressive Communication
- Expressing feelings, needs, and ideas at the expense of others; ignoring others' rights in order to support your own.
- Defensive or hostile when confronted by others.
- Often alienates and hurts others.
- Can help meet your needs quickly.
Six examples of aggressive behavior when communicating are:
- Interrupting others frequently.
- Raising one's voice or yelling.
- Using offensive language or insults.
- Making threats or intimidating gestures.
- Criticizing or belittling others.
- Ignoring or dismissing others' opinions without consideration.
One advantage of aggressive communication is that it allows individuals to express their ideas and desires with confidence and assertiveness. It can also result in quick decision-making and the ability to take charge in certain situations.
How does being aggressive affect communication? ›
Aggressive communication is the use of confrontational or hostile language that aims to control or dominate others. This can include belittling, criticizing, or using threats to achieve their goals. Aggressive communication can damage relationships and undermine effective communication.
What is the best definition of aggressive? ›
aggressive implies a disposition to dominate often in disregard of others' rights or in determined and energetic pursuit of one's ends. aggressive in his business dealings. militant also implies a fighting disposition but suggests not self-seeking but devotion to a cause, movement, or principle.
What are the 4 types of aggressive behavior? ›
Aggression can be verbal or physical. There are four types of aggressive behavior: accidental, expressive, instrumental, and hostile. It is important to un- derstand these behaviors that children may display so your responses are effective.
What are the three types of aggressive behavior? ›
The three aggression types comprised reactive-expressive (i.e., verbal and physical aggression), reactive-inexpressive (e.g., hostility), and proactive-relational aggression (i.e., aggression that can break human relationships, for instance, by circulating malicious rumours).
How do aggressive communicators act? ›
A person who is an aggressive communicator will interrupt or “trample” anyone else who is speaking. They'll be insistent on making their point and making sure that everyone hears it. They may raise their voice or even yell if they feel like they're not being heard, or that someone's trying to “take the mic” from them.
What does aggressive communication feel like? - Quora. A clipped, snappy tone. Insults and/ or yelling or shutting down and ignoring. You don't feel heard or understood and you become frustrated as the person refuses to hear the you.
How to communicate with an aggressive communicator? ›
Aggressive communication style
- Never return their aggression.
- Set clear standards and explain to them their behavior is not acceptable.
- Make them understand they must pay attention to others' opinions.
- Advise them how to tone down their aggression.
- Approach HR if the situation gets too difficult to handle.
Verbal aggression has been defined as communication with an intention to harm an individual through words, tone or manner, regardless of whether harm occurs.
What causes aggressive communication? ›
So, this means that an aggressive communication style is a learned behavior, which is good news because you can change it. Aggressive communication is also sometimes caused by social anxiety or feeling like you are bullied or victimized. In these cases, you eventually feel the need to stand up for yourself.
What is verbal aggressive Behaviour examples? ›
Examples of verbal aggression include name-calling, shouting, and accusing. Similarly, relational aggression includes inflicting emotional pain through social isolation, group exclusion, and/or manipulation of relationships.
What are examples of aggressive behavior? ›
Aggression can be direct behaviors such as hitting, kicking, biting, and pushing to name a few. Additionally, aggression can take on an indirect form like teasing, bullying, spreading rumors, name-calling, or ignoring someone.
What are the examples of aggressive Behaviour? ›
Physical, like beating, hitting, kicking, or stabbing another person. Damaging property is also a form of physical aggression. Verbal, which may include mocking, name-calling, and yelling. Relational, which is intended to harm another person's relationships.
What are some examples of aggressive body language? ›
Examples of aggressive body language may include:
- Sharp, angular gestures – making gestures that are not smooth, for example chopping hands, banging one fist against an open hand, finger-pointing or waving fists.
- Space invading – getting too close to someone else.
- Eyeballing – intense eye contact or staring.
