with requests, sarcasm, backhanded compliments, and hiding anger. Conflict theory In conflict theory, passive-aggressive behavior can resemble a behavior better described as catty, as it consists of deliberate, active, but carefully veiled hostile acts which are distinctively different in character from the non-assertive style of passive resistance. Work Passive-aggressive behavior from workers and managers is damaging to team unity and productivity. In an ad for Warner's online ebook, it says: "The worst case of passive-aggressive behavior involves destructive attitudes such as negativity, sullenness, resentment, procrastination, 'forgetting' to do something, chronic lateness, and intentional inefficiency." If this behavior is ignored, it could result in decreased office efficiency and frustration among workers. If managers are passive-aggressive in their behavior, it can end up stifling team creativity. Paula De Angelis says, "It would actually make perfect sense that those promoted to leadership positions might often be those who on the surface appear to be agreeable, diplomatic and supportive, yet who are actually dishonest, backstabbing saboteurs behind the scenes." History Passive-aggressive behavior was first defined clinically by Colonel William C. Menninger during World War II in the context of men's reaction to military compliance. Menninger described soldiers who were not openly defiant but expressed their civil disobedience (what he called "aggressiveness") by “passive measures, such as pouting, stubbornness, procrastination, inefficiency, and passive obstructionism" due to what Menninger saw as an "immaturity" and a reaction to "routine military stress". According to some psychoanalytic views, noncompliance is not indicative of true passive-aggressive behavior, which may instead be defined as the manifestation of emotions that have been repressed based on a self-imposed need for acceptance. See also Antisocial personality disorder Counterproductive work behavior Dark triad Gaming the system Gossip Guilt trip Let the Wookiee win Malicious compliance Mind games Narcissistic personality disorder Neglect Nonviolent resistance One-upmanship Oppositional defiant disorder Passivity Psychological manipulation Relational aggression Silent treatment Qahr and ashti, Iranian "silent treatment" Social undermining Work to rule References Bibliography . . Femenia, N. & Warner, N. (2012),The Silent Marriage: How Passive Aggression Steals Your Happiness (The Complete Guide to Passive Aggression) [Kindle Edition]| External links What is Passive Aggressive Behavior and How To Nip it in the Bud Aggression Borderline personality disorder Defence mechanisms Human behavior Motivation Protest tactics Symptoms and signs of mental disorders