Problem
Verbal abuse
Experimental visualization of narrower problems
Other Names:
Abusive languageVilification
Insensitive discourse
Invective
Verbal attack
Insult
Vituperation
Abusive epithets
Verbal bullying
Nature:
Verbal abuse (also verbal attack or verbal assault) is the act of forcefully criticizing, insulting, or denouncing another person. Characterized by underlying anger and hostility, it is a destructive form of communication intended to harm the self-concept of the other person and produce negative emotions. Verbal abuse is a maladaptive mechanism that anyone can display occasionally, such as during times of high stress or physical discomfort. For some people, it is a pattern of behaviors used intentionally to control or manipulate others or to get revenge.
Claim:
Verbal abuse can be as damaging as other forms of abuse. The hurt of a deliberately aimed unkind word can be an emotional wound which never heals. A society in which individuals habitually need to protect themselves from verbal attack has put up barriers which reduce its humanity.
Counter Claim:
Should we ban insults? But you can do so much with them – fancy not being able to insult our rulers. Should we then ban insults on the weak? This is attractive, but unfortunately what has usually obtained is precisely the opposite.
Broader Problems:
CrueltyDisrespectHarassmentVerbal incontinencePsychological tortureInterpersonal violenceUnethical use of languageUnethical personnel practices Narrower Problems:
TeasingRidiculeContumelyDetractionImprecationInappropriate innuendoIncitement to violenceIntimidation by childrenDiscriminatory use of languageVerbal sexual harassment of women in public Related Problems:
SlangPhysical intimidation Strategies:
Attacking verballyEmploying verbal skillsCommunicating sensitivelyTaking insultGiving insult References:
Flynn, Charles P: Insult and Society: patterns of comparative interactionPieper, Josef: Abuse of Language, Abuse of Power Problem Type:
D: Detailed problems Subject(s):
Defence → ConflictLanguage → Languages
Societal Problems → Maltreatment
Date of last update
20.05.2019 – 17:01 CEST