Verbal Aggresiveness

Aggressive communication is a subset of hostility and also considered a trait of neuroticism. Verbal aggressiveness means a tendency to attack the self-concepts of others, rather than, or in addition to, their positions on issues. Research has shown three main areas of self-concept attacks: group membership (your family is a bunch of nuts), personal failings (why should I listen to you? How many cars have you totaled?), and relationship failings (you might have more credibility if your list of exes wasn't so long).

In addition to self-concept attacks, verbal aggressiveness includes competence attacks, or attacks on another person's ability to do something (you can't do anything right), which can still hurt, cause pain, and embarrassment. In fact, competence attacks that are focused in one area can actually lead to diminished competence in that area and weaken that person's desire to continue to perform that task.

Verbal aggressiveness also includes character attacks (you're an idiot), which also result in embarrassment, hurt, and psychological pain. Verbal aggressiveness often includes profanity, and involves the use of obscene words, epithets, and vulgarities. Calling someone an idiot fits in this category. Further, aggressiveness involves teasing and ridicule.

Teasing is to make fun of, or playfully mock, someone else. It is a more playful form of verbal aggression, yet when the attack aims to inflict harm and pain on another, it can inflict psychological harm and damage, thus classifying it as verbally aggressive. Teasing can also be affectionate, however, and strengthen a relationship. But aggressive teasing is a masked expression of anger or hostility. Ridicule is closely related to teasing, and involves using words or deeds to evoke condescending laughter directed at a particular target.

Another form of verbal aggressiveness is maledictions, or wishing someone ill will. Examples are "get lost" and "take a hike", along with other, more profane choices. Threats are an additional form of verbal aggressiveness, and explicitly suggest an intention to inflict physical or psychological pain, injury, or some other type of harm on another. An example is, "If you cheat on me, I will track you down and take you out."

Personality attacks such as, "He's an idiot," negative comparisons, such as, "Well, your sister is a lot prettier," attacks on another's significant other, such as, "Your kids could use some discipline," blame, such as, "I'm broke because of you," and disconfirmation, or flat out ignoring someone or making like they simply don't exist, comprise additional forms of verbal aggressiveness. Also in the category of verbal aggressiveness are aggressive nonverbal cues, such as flipping the bird.