Mannerism (behavior)

{{Short description|Types of human behavior}} When referring to human behavior, the word '''mannerism''' has two primary senses;<ref>{{Citation |title=mannerism, n. |date=2023-03-02 |work=Oxford English Dictionary |url=https://oed.com/dictionary/mannerism_n |access-date=2025-11-20 |edition=3 |publisher=Oxford University Press |language=en |doi=10.1093/oed/6011744420|url-access=subscription }}</ref> in its first sense, it is used to refer to a habitual behavior peculiar to a particular individual.<ref>[http://dictionary.apa.org/mannerism Mannerism] APA Dictionary of Psychology, 2007</ref><ref name=psyle>[https://www.psychology-lexicon.com/cms/glossary/46-glossary-m/25503-mannerisms.html Mannerisms]</ref> In particular, the term refers to affected or exaggerated speech or actions.<ref>[https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mannerism mannerism], Merriam-Webster</ref> Often these mannerisms are subtle and subconscious. They may be expressed in body language, manner of speech, tone of voice, etc. Examples of mannerisms in this sense are twirling one's hair, tapping one's fingers, or making particular facial expressions. Sometimes they are signs of particular emotional states; for example, a person who is anxious may start walking back and forth.<ref name="psyle" /> Some mannerisms of a person may be indicative of an attempt to call attention to themselves.<ref>Roger M. Kurlan, [https://academic.oup.com/book/25146/chapter-abstract/189449241?redirectedFrom=fulltext Chapter 7. "Habits, Mannerisms, Compulsions, and Stereotypies"], In: ''Hyperkinetic Movement Disorders'', 2015, pp. 99-105, {{doi|10.1093/med/9780199925643.003.0007}}</ref>

The term is also used in psychopathology, referring to forms of ritualistic behavior that become pathologically exaggerated, interfering with goal-directed activities. Mannerisms of this kind can manifest as repetitive gestures, facial expressions, vocalizations, or any number of other types of behavior.<ref name=":0">Martin Brüne, [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9697162/ Ethological remarks on mannerisms. Conceptualisation and proposal for a definition] {{PMID|9697162}}</ref><ref name="psyle" /> They are associated with both neurological and psychiatric disorders, with schizophrenic mannerisms in particular being the subject of some sparse systematic research.<ref name=":0" /> They should be distinguished from tics: the former are fluidly integrated into person's behavior, while tics are sudden, repetitive, and abrupt.<ref name="psyle" /><ref name=":0" />

==See also== *Nonverbal communication

==References== {{reflist}}

Category:Psychological concepts Category:Human behavior