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Negativism: meaning, definitions and examples

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negativism

 

[ nɛɡətɪvɪzəm ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

psychological attitude

Negativism refers to a psychological attitude characterized by a pervasive and persistent negative outlook towards situations and interactions. It often manifests in opposition to the demands of others, leading to a rejection of proposals or requests. Individuals exhibiting negativism may display behaviors such as refusal to engage or an unwillingness to cooperate. This attitude can result in significant issues in personal relationships, workplaces, and therapeutic settings. Understanding and addressing negativism is crucial in mental health contexts, where it can impede progress.

Synonyms

dissent, opposition, pessimism, resistance

Examples of usage

  • His negativism made teamwork very challenging.
  • The patient's negativism hindered the recovery process.
  • She often displays negativism, refusing to accept new ideas.
  • Negativism in children can be addressed through positive reinforcement.

Translations

Translations of the word "negativism" in other languages:

🇵🇹 negativismo

🇮🇳 नकारात्मकता

🇩🇪 Negativismus

🇮🇩 negativisme

🇺🇦 негативізм

🇵🇱 negatywizm

🇯🇵 ネガティビズム

🇫🇷 négativisme

🇪🇸 negativismo

🇹🇷 negativizm

🇰🇷 부정주의

🇸🇦 السلبية

🇨🇿 negativismus

🇸🇰 negativizmus

🇨🇳 消极主义

🇸🇮 negativizem

🇮🇸 neikvæðni

🇰🇿 негативизм

🇬🇪 ნეგატივიზმი

🇦🇿 negativizm

🇲🇽 negativismo

Etymology

The term 'negativism' first appeared in the English language in the early 19th century, derived from the Latin word 'negativus' which means 'negative.' The root 'negare' means 'to deny' or 'to refuse.' Originally, the concept was associated with philosophical discussions surrounding the nature of reality and perception, focusing on how negative assertions impact understanding. Over time, the definition evolved, and 'negativism' came to be aligned more closely with psychological contexts, especially in relation to behavior and attitude. By the late 19th century, negativism began to gain traction in the field of psychology to describe certain behavioral patterns exhibited by individuals, particularly those with mental health issues. It was conceptualized as a response to authority or societal expectations, reflecting an inherent resistance to external pressures.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #32,291 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.