Attributes of Highly Contemptuous People

Abstract

The present study examines the relationship between levels of trait contempt expression and several individual- and social-level characteristics. Participants (N = 216) completed questionnaires that measured mental, psychological, relational, and emotional attributes. The results suggest a paradox for highly contemptuously expressive people. On the one hand, trait contempt expression is uniquely predictive of relational and emotional costs such as social isolation, less preoccupation with relationships, and a view of relationships as secondary; on the other hand, trait contempt expression leads to lower levels of self-reported stress. The findings support a cognitive functional framework for research examining behavioral outcomes to emotion expression.

Keywords:

• Contempt
• Cognitive Functional Theory
• Discrete Emotions
• Emotional Expressivity
• Interpersonal Communication
• Negative Emotion

Acknowledgments

The author expresses gratitude to Dr. Malcolm R. Parks and Dr. Valerie Manusov for their thoughtful comments and helpful feedback on this article.

Notes

Note. Internal reliability is based on Chronbach's alpha coefficient. Variables were measured on 7-point scales. The higher the score indicates the higher intensity of the variable.

*p < .05. **p < .01. ***p < .001.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

John Patrick Crowley

John Patrick Crowley is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication Studies at Colorado State University.