Is there a name for this sort of behavioural trait?
Discussion
When someone sets you up with a question they already know (or suspect) you don't know the answer to, what's that called?
Usually in discussion about history, general knowledge, that sort of thing.
For example:
Rockatansky, you'll know what year Marie Antoinette was executed, won't you? - then go on to talk at length and with authority about what they know whilst knowing you knew sod all in the first place.
It's a guy at work. I like him, but I've picked up that he does this a lot and I'm certain that there must be some sort of behavioural mind game going on, subconscious or otherwise...
Usually in discussion about history, general knowledge, that sort of thing.
For example:
Rockatansky, you'll know what year Marie Antoinette was executed, won't you? - then go on to talk at length and with authority about what they know whilst knowing you knew sod all in the first place.
It's a guy at work. I like him, but I've picked up that he does this a lot and I'm certain that there must be some sort of behavioural mind game going on, subconscious or otherwise...
Well on the surface of it, it is certainly pompous and it seems to be him asserting some sort of intellectual dominance over you...In his mind anyway.
But yeah, I don't know the name of the psychological trait or if it is even classed as something other than being a bell.
Maybe you should just do the same back to him?
But yeah, I don't know the name of the psychological trait or if it is even classed as something other than being a bell.
Maybe you should just do the same back to him?
MattsCar said:
Well on the surface of it, it is certainly pompous and it seems to be him asserting some sort of intellectual dominance over you...In his mind anyway.
But yeah, I don't know the name of the psychological trait or if it is even classed as something other than being a bell.
Yeah, the intellectual dominance thing and / or insecurity of some sort is where I think it lies.But yeah, I don't know the name of the psychological trait or if it is even classed as something other than being a bell.
He's self deprecating about his education and knowledge, but he's not daft. He'll add flattering my education or level of intelligence and then hit you with a niche question about the bass player in Blondie..
I'm at ease with my ignorance of all things, I'm very much in the 'the more I learn, the more I know that I know nothing' kind of camp. I've nothing to prove, but I'm curious what his drive is.
Rockatansky said:
MattsCar said:
Well on the surface of it, it is certainly pompous and it seems to be him asserting some sort of intellectual dominance over you...In his mind anyway.
But yeah, I don't know the name of the psychological trait or if it is even classed as something other than being a bell.
Yeah, the intellectual dominance thing and / or insecurity of some sort is where I think it lies.But yeah, I don't know the name of the psychological trait or if it is even classed as something other than being a bell.
He's self deprecating about his education and knowledge, but he's not daft. He'll add flattering my education or level of intelligence and then hit you with a niche question about the bass player in Blondie..
I'm at ease with my ignorance of all things, I'm very much in the 'the more I learn, the more I know that I know nothing' kind of camp. I've nothing to prove, but I'm curious what his drive is.
If you're feeling a bit mean, you could take him to task over something in 1 of 2 ways:
1) make notes on some key detail then go away to check it, then come back some time later with your findings if his knowledge is proven to be incorrect
2) when he makes some statement, you ask more detail, to the point where he no longer knows and will therefore come away feeling a bit stupid.
There is another way
3) just walk off uninterested or change the topic mid-conversation. Or wait until he's finished, and start a reply with, "Anyway,..."
Edited by Hoofy on Tuesday 21st January 10:34
Actually, do you feel he has high "EQ"? Does he navigate office politics really well? Comes across as personable? Or is he more a geek, a socially awkward penguin, clumsy with personal interactions? If the latter, it might just be his clumsy way of trying to share with everyone some factoid.
Dynion Araf Uchaf said:
Oh there is a guy I work with similar to this.. He will listen to a podcast (or something similar) the night before, and then steer the conversation in that topical area in the office. It's a bit like the Ricky Jervais character, David Brent, in a certain episode of The Office. It's so cringey and obviously done and he is absolutely shameless with it.
The trouble is, the MD has completely fallen for his "intellect" and managerial buzz words and thinks the sun shines out of his backside.
The trouble is, the MD has completely fallen for his "intellect" and managerial buzz words and thinks the sun shines out of his backside.
I'm no psychiatrist but I find this stuff interesting and has a bit of this stuff around it:
https://www.vitaliscoaching.com/blog/parent-adult-...
Wiki article might be more helpful: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transactional_analys...
https://www.vitaliscoaching.com/blog/parent-adult-...
Wiki article might be more helpful: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transactional_analys...
Edited by zalrak on Tuesday 21st January 11:34
Lotobear said:
Slow.Patrol said:
MattsCar said:
When men do this to women...it is known as Mansplaining...not that you are a woman...
The new term is coercive 
Rockatansky said:
When someone sets you up with a question they already know (or suspect) you don't know the answer to, what's that called?
Usually in discussion about history, general knowledge, that sort of thing.
For example:
Rockatansky, you'll know what year Marie Antoinette was executed, won't you? - then go on to talk at length and with authority about what they know whilst knowing you knew sod all in the first place.
It's a guy at work. I like him, but I've picked up that he does this a lot and I'm certain that there must be some sort of behavioural mind game going on, subconscious or otherwise...
Simple way to stop it. Listen intently, then ask a side question from what they have told you. Why was she killed, where, what was the political movement in the run up. Usually in discussion about history, general knowledge, that sort of thing.
For example:
Rockatansky, you'll know what year Marie Antoinette was executed, won't you? - then go on to talk at length and with authority about what they know whilst knowing you knew sod all in the first place.
It's a guy at work. I like him, but I've picked up that he does this a lot and I'm certain that there must be some sort of behavioural mind game going on, subconscious or otherwise...
99% of the time they read the snippet of info about ten mins ago, know sod all about it and are trying to look clever. Let them hang themselves. If you actually do know the subject it can be even more satisfying as you lead them down a path.
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