Attention seeking
Enjoying the attention of others is socially acceptable in some situations.[1] In some instances, however, the need for attention can lead to difficulties. The term attention seeking (or drawing attention) is a form of situation managing and generally reserved for such situations where excessive and "inappropriate attention seeking" is seen.[2] It can be voluntarily or involuntarily. The term is most often used in domestic, theatrical, tactical, marketing, and other situations. It also can be used as a situational decoy.
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In different pathologies or contexts [edit]
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
- Münchausen by Internet
- Münchausen syndrome
- Münchausen syndrome by proxy
- Personality disorders – A sustained pattern of attention seeking in adults is often associated with, in particular, histrionic personality disorder – but it may instead be associated with narcissistic personality disorder or borderline personality disorder.[3] The expression drama queen is associated with histrionic behavior.
- Self-destructive behavior – It is a common misconception that self-destructive behavior is inherently attention seeking, or at least that attention is a primary motive. While this is undoubtedly true in some cases, normally the motivation runs much deeper than that. Many self-injurers are very self-conscious of their wounds and scars and feel guilty about their behavior leading them to go to great lengths to conceal their behavior from others.[4]
- Voluntary false confession
Tactical ignoring [edit]
Tactical ignoring, also known as planned ignoring, is a behavioral management strategy used in response to challenging behavior that seeks to receive attention or to gain a reaction from others. It is a commonly used strategy when the person displaying the attention seeking behavior still feels rewarded by a negative response.
See also [edit]
References [edit]
- ^ Burns, Robert B. Essential Psychology, Kluwer Academic Publishers, 1991; ISBN 0-7923-8957-3
- ^ Armstrong, K.J. & Drabman, R. (1994) The clinical use of sports skills tutoring with grade school boys referred for school behavioural problems. Child and Family Behavior Therapy, 16, 43–48 (p.44).
- ^ Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fourth edition Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR) American Psychiatric Association (2000)
- ^ Truth Hurts Report, Mental Health Foundation, 2006, ISBN 978-1-903645-81-9, retrieved 2008-06-11
Further reading [edit]
- Gewirtz, Jacob L Three determinants of attention-seeking in young children (1956)
- Gewirtz, Jacob L A factor analysis of some attention-seeking behaviors of young children Child Development (1956)
- Harvey, Eric & Mellor, Nigel Helping Parents Deal With Attention Seeking Behaviour (2009)
- Leit, Lisa & Jacobvitz, Deborah & Hazen-Swann, Nancy Conversational Narcissism in Marriage: Narcissistic attention seeking behaviors in face-to-face interactions: Implications for marital stability and partner mental health (2008)
- Mellor, Nigel Attention Seeking: A Practical Solution for the Classroom (1997)
- Mellor, Nigel The Good, the Bad and the Irritating: A Practical Approach for Parents of Children who are Attention Seeking (2000)
- Mellor, Nigel Attention Seeking: A Complete Guide for Teachers (2008)
- Smith-Martenz, Arden Attention-seeking misbehaviors (1990)
