Contempt Meaning & Definition

What is the meaning and definition of contempt, how it develops, what causes it, and how to overcome it?

What is Contempt & Definition?

Contempt is a complex emotion involving disdain, scorn, or perhaps a sense of superiority toward someone or something perceived as inferior, unworthy, or morally reprehensible. It often combines elements of anger and disgust, manifesting as a judgmental attitude that dismisses or belittles the target.

Physically, it might be expressed through a sneer, eye-rolling, or a condescending tone. Psychologically, it creates distance, reinforcing a belief that the object of contempt is beneath consideration or respect. This feeling can arise from perceived violations of values, incompetence, or hypocrisy, and it often serves to assert dominance or moral righteousness.

Contempt for Individuals & Groups

Contempt is usually focused on a particular individual. However, a person can develop contempt for groups of people, and perhaps even people in general.

With relationships, if one partner develops contempt for the other, that relationship is likely doomed, unless some drastic action is taken. Psychologists and relationship researchers have acknowledged the seriousness of this situation, and how it’s a strong predictor of that relationship or marriage ending. Contempt is a very strong collection of negative emotions, and it can be very difficult to recover from.

When it comes to groups, those groups could include political views, class differences, and even certain personality types. With this in mind, it could include a large percentage of the population.

Causes of Contempt

Perception of Inferiority or Violation: Contempt often begins with a judgment that someone or something is inferior, whether morally, intellectually, or socially. This can stem from moral discrepancies, observing behaviours that violate personal or societal values, like dishonesty or hypocrisy, can spark contempt.

Perceived Incompetence: Repeated failures or perceived inadequacy in others can lead to a sense of superiority and disdain.

Social Comparison: Comparing oneself or one’s group favourably against others can foster contempt, especially in competitive or hierarchical settings.

Emotional Triggers: Contempt is often fuelled by underlying emotions like anger or disgust. For example, anger at someone’s actions can evolve into contempt if the behaviour persists or is seen as a character flaw. Disgust, particularly toward actions deemed morally reprehensible, can blend with judgment to form contempt.

Cognitive Reinforcement: Over time, contempt solidifies through cognitive biases, such as confirmation bias. People notice behaviours that reinforce their negative view, ignoring redeeming qualities.

Dehumanization: The target may be mentally stripped of worth, making contempt easier to sustain.

Superiority Complex: A belief in one’s own moral or intellectual superiority strengthens contemptuous feelings.

Social and Cultural Influences: Contempt can be shaped by social dynamics: Group Dynamics: Ingroup-outgroup divisions (e.g., political, cultural, or social groups) can cultivate contempt for those outside the group.

Cultural Norms: Societies that emphasize hierarchy or strict moral codes may encourage contempt toward those who deviate.

Modelling: Exposure to contemptuous behaviour (e.g., in media, family, or peer groups) can normalize and reinforce it.

Repeated Exposure or Frustration: Contempt often grows in relationships or environments where negative interactions accumulate. For instance, in personal relationships, unresolved conflicts or repeated betrayals can shift frustration into contempt. In professional settings, ongoing incompetence or unethical behaviour can erode respect into disdain.

Self-Protection Mechanism: Contempt can serve as a psychological defence mechanism to distance oneself from perceived threats or undesirable traits. By elevating oneself above the target, contempt reinforces self-esteem or group identity.

By understanding the cause of the contempt, you can begin working to overcome it.

Personality Traits & Contempt

Certain personality traits will make some people developing contempt more likely. Contempt is a very negative emotion. If someone is naturally high in neuroticism, which is the negative emotion trait, then it seems like a reasonable correlation between high neuroticism and the emotion of contempt.

Being low in trait agreeableness is also likely a factor. A disagreeable person tends to have less interest people, therefore potentially making them less tolerant of others and their antics. Generally, they are more likely to become annoyed by others.

Those high in trait conscientious, particularly the orderliness aspect are high in the emotion of disgust. The emotion of disgust is strongly correlated with contemptuous feelings.

Those who are low in extroversion, aka, introverted often become mentally drained, perhaps uncomfortable around groups of people.

Individually, these traits probably wouldn’t be enough to lead to contributing to feeling of contempt for an individual or group. However, when combined, it would likely be much more of a predictor or factor.