Passive communication is a communication style in which a person tends to avoid expressing their thoughts, feelings, and needs clearly and directly. Instead of communicating openly, people with a passive communication style often minimize their own opinions, give in easily to others, and have difficulty expressing their boundaries. This type of communication can have negative effects on interpersonal relationships and on the self-esteem of the person who communicates in this way.
Characteristic 1: Avoid conflicts
One of the most obvious characteristics of passive communication is the tendency to avoid conflict at all costs. People who communicate passively are often afraid of confrontation and prefer to maintain harmony in their relationships, even if it means repressing their own needs and desires. Instead of expressing their opinions directly, these people tend to defer to others and keep quiet about what they really think. This can lead to an accumulation of resentment and frustration in the passive person, as well as misunderstandings in interpersonal relationships.
Manifestations of this characteristic:
- Saying "yes " when you really want to say "no" in order to avoid conflict.
- Avoid expressing disagreements for fear of hurting the feelings of others.
- Letting others people make decisions in their place to avoid confrontations.
Characteristic 2: Difficulty expressing emotions
Another common characteristic of passive communication is difficulty expressing clearly and direct one's emotions. People who communicate passively tend to minimize their own feelings and not effectively communicate how they feel in a given situation. This may be due to internal fears, such as fear of rejection or judgment from others, or a lack of emotional skills to identify and express one's own emotions in a healthy way. This difficulty in expressing emotions can lead to misunderstandings in relationships and a deterioration in interpersonal communication.
Manifestations of this characteristic:
- Avoiding talking about personal emotions out of fear to be judged.
- Do not express anger or frustration openly, which can lead to unexpected emotional outbursts.
- Do not ask for what is emotionally needed in a relationship for fear of appearing needy or vulnerable.
Characteristic 3: Difficulty establishing limits
Passive communication is also characterized by a difficulty establishing and maintaining clear personal boundaries. People who communicate passively tend to give in to the demands of others, even when they exceed their own limits or needs. This can lead to a feeling of personal invasion and a constant feeling of dissatisfaction with interpersonal relationships. The lack of clear boundaries can generate resentment and frustration in the person who communicates passively, as well as confusion in the people who interact with him.
Manifestations of this characteristic:
- Not expressing what one considers acceptable or unacceptable in a relationship.
- Not setting clear limits on behavior that is uncomfortable or inappropriate.
- Giving in to the demands of others, even when they harm one's well-being.
Characteristic 4: Low self-esteem and self-blame
Finally, passive communication is usually associated with low self-esteem and a tendency to blame oneself. oneself due to problems in interpersonal relationships. People who communicate passively tend to take excessive responsibility for conflicts and difficulties in their relationships, even when they are not directly responsible for them. This self-blame can negatively affect the person's self-esteem and perpetuate the cycle of passive communication, as the person feels less able to express their thoughts and feelings effectively.
Manifestations of this characteristic:
- Excessive self-demand in interpersonal relationships.
- Blaming oneself for conflicts or misunderstandings in relationships.
- Not defending one's own rights or needs for fear of being selfish or inadequate.
In conclusion, passive communication is a communication style that can have negative effects on interpersonal relationships and on the self-esteem of the person who communicates in this way. manner. Recognizing the characteristics of passive communication is the first step to being able to change this communication pattern and develop more effective skills to express thoughts, feelings and needs in an assertive and healthy way.