Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsExamplesHow Does a Dismissive Person Act?Dismissive StatementsCharacteristicsWhat Makes People Dismissive?How to Deal

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Table of Contents

Examples

How Does a Dismissive Person Act?

Dismissive Statements

Characteristics

What Makes People Dismissive?

How to Deal

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Dismissive behavior involves brushing someone off, ignoring them, or being indifferent to them. It can be disrespectful, inconsiderate, or downright rude.

Being dismissed can leave you feelingunwantedand unimportant, like you don‘t matter, saysAimee Daramus, PsyD, a licensed clinical psychologist.

Dismissive behavior can take many forms. For example, you enter a party and greet someone, but they pretend not to notice. Or, you make a suggestion in a meeting and your colleague rolls their eyes.

This article explores some examples, characteristics, and causes of dismissive behavior, as well as some strategies that can help you cope with a dismissive person.

Examples of Dismissive Behavior

These are some examples of dismissive behavior, according to Dr. Daramus:

A dismissive person might be dismissive of only you, of specific types of people (people of a specificage, race, or gender, for example), or of all other people in general, says Dr. Daramus.For example, a 2022 study notes that younger, female, and non-White people were more likely to have their questions and concerns be dismissed.

A dismissive person might be dismissive of only you, of specific types of people (people of a specificage, race, or gender, for example), or of all other people in general, says Dr. Daramus.

For example, a 2022 study notes that younger, female, and non-White people were more likely to have their questions and concerns be dismissed.

These are some of the actions of a dismissive person:

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What Are Dismissive Statements?

These are some examples of dismissive statements:

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What Are the Characteristics of a Dismissive Person?

These are some signs and characteristics of a dismissive person:

“It‘s normal to not get your way sometimes, but people can still treat you likeyoumatter. Dismissive behavior denies that your wants were ever valid,” Dr. Daramus explains.

These are some of the potential causes of dismissive behavior:

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How Do You Deal With a Dismissive Person?

These are some strategies that can help you deal with a dismissive person:

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2 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Hildenbrand GM, Perrault EK, Rnoh RH.Patients' perceptions of healthcare providers' dismissive communication.Health Promot Pract. 2022;23(5):777-784. doi:10.1177/15248399211027540Zvara BJ, Lathren C, Mills-Koonce R; Family Life Project Key Contributors.Maternal and paternal attachment style and chaos as risk factors for parenting behavior.Fam Relat. 2020;69(2):233-246. doi:10.1111/fare.12423

2 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Hildenbrand GM, Perrault EK, Rnoh RH.Patients' perceptions of healthcare providers' dismissive communication.Health Promot Pract. 2022;23(5):777-784. doi:10.1177/15248399211027540Zvara BJ, Lathren C, Mills-Koonce R; Family Life Project Key Contributors.Maternal and paternal attachment style and chaos as risk factors for parenting behavior.Fam Relat. 2020;69(2):233-246. doi:10.1111/fare.12423

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Hildenbrand GM, Perrault EK, Rnoh RH.Patients' perceptions of healthcare providers' dismissive communication.Health Promot Pract. 2022;23(5):777-784. doi:10.1177/15248399211027540Zvara BJ, Lathren C, Mills-Koonce R; Family Life Project Key Contributors.Maternal and paternal attachment style and chaos as risk factors for parenting behavior.Fam Relat. 2020;69(2):233-246. doi:10.1111/fare.12423

Hildenbrand GM, Perrault EK, Rnoh RH.Patients' perceptions of healthcare providers' dismissive communication.Health Promot Pract. 2022;23(5):777-784. doi:10.1177/15248399211027540

Zvara BJ, Lathren C, Mills-Koonce R; Family Life Project Key Contributors.Maternal and paternal attachment style and chaos as risk factors for parenting behavior.Fam Relat. 2020;69(2):233-246. doi:10.1111/fare.12423

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