Camouflaged Aggression in Organizations

A Bimodal Theory

By Alexander Abdennur
Categories: Health, Social Work & Psychology, Psychology, Business, Economics & Industry
Publisher: University of Alberta Press
Paperback : 9781772124910, 216 pages, August 2020
Ebook (EPUB) : 9781772125290, 192 pages, September 2020
Ebook (MobiPocket) : 9781772125306, 192 pages, September 2020
Ebook (PDF) : 9781772125313, 192 pages, September 2020

Table of contents

Introduction

1 | Three Faces of Aggression
Confrontational Aggression, Passive-Aggression, and Camouflaged Aggression
Definition of Aggression
Types of Aggression
Two Modes of Aggression
The Two Modes Are Qualitatively Different
The Two Modes Balance and Contain Each Other
Modal Shift as an Aggression-Reducing Technique
The Implications of the Model for Organizations
A Quantum Hypothesis
Displacement in Camouflaged Aggression
Multi-Directional Aggression
Resonance of Aggression
Warehousing of Aggression

2 | The Paradox of Modern Society
Bureaucracy
Bureaupathology
Modifications in Bureaucratic Structuring
Organizational Development and Camouflaged Aggression
Organizational Complexity
Interdependence of High-Tech Systems
Antisocial Aggression in Organizations
The Strategy of Camouflage
The Organizational Person as a Camouflaged Animal
A Paradox of Modern Life
Phylogenetic Regression
Ethical Regression
The Convergence on Injustice as a Form of Ethical Decline
Incivility as Ethical Decline
Machiavellian Management as Ethical Decline

3 | Patterns of Camouflaged Aggression
Indecision
Rigidity
Time Manipulation
Waiting as a Status Degradation Ceremony
Information Manipulation
Control by Overwork
Withdrawal
Inaccessibility
Non-interference
Entrapment
Random Kindness
Subordination via Sexualization
Undermining the Sense of Security
Ego Bashing
The Bureaucratic Vendetta
The Hydraulic Principle
The Hydraulics of Human Aggression
The Hydraulics of Camouflaged Aggression
Regressive Aggression
Self-Destructiveness in Organizations

4 | Camouflaged Aggression and Personality
Camouflaged Aggression and Personality Disorders
Personality Disorders
Camouflaged Aggression in “Normal” Personality Profiles
Personality Disorders and Voluntary Organizations
Personality Disorders and Political Organizations
Can Camouflaged Aggression Become Addictive?
The Impact of Camouflaged Aggression on Health
The Porcupine Entanglement
Diagnosing Personality Disorders by Means of a Balance Sheet

5 | Sociocultural Factors in Camouflaged Aggression
Alienation
Anomie
Learning and Cultural Transmission
Narcissistic Values
Cross-Cultural Values and Importation
Anti-Confrontation Values

6 | Prevention and Control of Camouflaged Aggression
Balancing the Two Modes
Balancing the Two Modes at the Conceptual Level
Confrontation IS the Ideal Strategy
Balancing the Two Modes at the Practical Level
Intervention Focusing on Abnormal Personality Functioning
Other Intervention Strategies
Combat Philosophy

Epilogue
Complexity, Camouflage, Entropy, and Explosive Violence
Complex Systems
Camouflaged Aggression as a Complex System
Entropy
Explosive Violence

Glossary
References
Index

Description

In Camouflaged Aggression in Organizations, Alexander Abdennur unveils his theory of two modes of aggression in organizations: confrontational and camouflaged. Focusing on camouflaged aggression, he describes patterns of behaviour and shows how these intersect with personality and sociocultural factors. He defines the effects of non-confrontational aggression in terms of organizational and mental health. In discussing prevention and control of this harmful behaviour, Abdennur recommends a cognitive approach to manage workplace hostility in businesses, the public sector, and not-for-profit organizations. Professionals, professors, and students of psychology, organizational behaviour, and criminology will find this a necessary and insightful resource.