Question

Brad and Jake are coworkers and competitors for the post of manager. Jake bagged the top performer award for three quarters in a row, resulting in Brad feeling jealous and resentful. For Jake's birthday, Brad presented him with tickets to a movie starring Jake's least favorite actor. In this example, Brad's gift to Jake is an example of _____.:

Answer 1

Brad's birthday gift to Jake, which was something Jake dislikes, is an example of passive-aggressive behavior, typically associated with indirect hostility and avoidance of direct confrontation.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the scenario described, Brad's gift to Jake is an example of passive-aggressive behavior. While on the surface the gesture of giving a birthday present seems kind, the fact that Brad chose something he knew Jake would dislike indicates underlying resentment. This type of behavior often occurs in competitive environments, such as the workplace, where direct confrontation might be avoided but feelings of jealousy or rivalry persist.

For example, a businessman who feels he deserves a raise but is too nervous to ask for it might rationalize the situation by convincing himself that hard work is its own reward, thus demonstrating a form of passive-aggressive behavior, where there's an indirect expression of hostility or discontentment.