Relational Aggression
Definition
Relational aggression refers to the deliberate manipulation or destruction of relationships to control or harm others. It involves emotional abuse tactics such as spreading rumors, excluding individuals, or isolating them socially.
Example
In a workplace setting, a manager might spread false rumors about an employee's competence and exclude them from team activities. This behavior not only damages the targeted individual but also creates a toxic environment, affecting overall morale and productivity.
Why It Matters
Relational Aggression can impact mental well-being, and lead to chronic mental health issues for victims. It also diminishes morale and team trust in organizations where it occurs. This can lead to lost productivity for the organization as a whole. Relational Aggression can occur in a wide variety of social contexts, and can have a lasting impact on those who experience it. Understanding and addressing relational aggression is necessary to have healthy and supportive work and social environments.