Spitting on someone is disgusting and antisocial behavior. If the spatter is infected with AIDS, Hepatitis C, or any chronic infectious disease, then their spit will be as dangerous as a knife or a bullet. But why do people spit on someone in the first place? What is the psychology of spitting on someone?
As psychologist and philosopher Mark Burrows says, “There isn’t any psychology behind this! People just do things that are annoying or of bad behavior because they can. There is no rhyme or reason. They just do it.”
He says spitting on someone is just a learned habit that has clearly no relation with psychology.
However, on the contrary, a study published in Pubmed Central suggests there can be psychological reasons behind one human spitting on the other.
So, based on the available data and varied viewpoints, I managed to find the top six reasons that will help you understand the Psychology of spitting on someone.
1. Pleasure and discomfort relief
The same study I mentioned above suggests that spitting can be linked to pleasurable sensations. These sensations are similar to the ones you feel during ejaculation or urination. Basically, spitting can provide you with sexual gratification and a sense of relief from discomfort.
So, some people like spitting on the other person because it gives them relief from discomfort and maybe somehow fulfilling their fetish.
2. Expression of hostility and disdain
As mentioned, spitting is disgusting and a way of showing negative emotions toward others. When one person intentionally spits on the other, they might be demonstrating their anger, disrespect, or contempt toward another individual. Spitting on someone acts as nonverbal communication to convey a strong meaning.
Imagine one person verbally abusing the other compared to spitting on the other. Indeed, spitting has a more negative impact, and it will be difficult for the other person to forget. Some people spit on others because they want to leave this psychological impression.
3. Dominating behavior
You might have noticed that some people like spitting on the floor when passing you. Here, spitting isn’t directly on the other person, but psychologically, these people, usually males, are trying to show their dominating behavior. Some say this dominant gesture is like a “gorilla pounding his chest”.
This is commonly seen in teenagers, who often have the urge to show others that they are better than them. It’s often a learned behavior that they acquire through their environment.
4. Psychological disorders
Although there is no specific disorder of spitting on someone, conditions in a few selective psychological disorders can lead to the act of spitting.
1. Conduct Disorder: It’s a disorder where individuals often display aggressive and antisocial behaviors. Due to some conditions, their brain creates an urge to show such dominating behavior, and to fulfill that urge, they might spit on someone.
2. Intermittent Explosive Disorder (IED): Here, patients get sudden episodes of rage and aggression that go out of proportion. Spitting could be one of the ways of expressing this intense anger.
3. Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD): Patients suffering from this disorder lack empathy for others. They show no care for the emotions of the other and often disregard the social norms. For them spitting on someone is not a big deal because they simply cannot understand how disgusting the other person will feel about it.
4. Substance Abuse: Being high on drugs, alcohol, or any other substance can make people over-aggressive. Remember, a regular drinker may never perform the act of spitting on someone. However, an addict who has lost his sense of perception won’t hesitate in conducting this act.
5. Cultural significance
As I mentioned above in this article, it’s not always about the Psychology of spitting on someone. Sometimes, it’s learned behavior that people acquire by observing others.
Definitely, it’s not about spitting on a person because no culture in the world supports that. But in the West, it’s socially unacceptable to spit in public places. However, in Eastern cultures like India, it’s quite easy to notice people spitting on the roads. It doesn’t mean they are disrespecting you, but that’s what they have learned about noticing the environment.
Spitting is also believed to protect against evil forces and bad luck in some Indian traditions.
6. Conditioned behavior
People who spit on others are somehow fulfilling their psychological needs. It gives them a rewarding feeling that makes them repeat the behavior. Think of it like smoking a cigarette! Smoking releases dopamine, a neurotransmitter that gives you feelings of pleasure and relaxation. That’s why the habit of smoking is reinforced.
There is no evidence of spitting on others releasing any hormone or neurotransmitter. Still, if someone repeats such behavior, they definitely find it rewarding, but the release of chemicals in the body is still a matter of study.
Other articles on psychlogy
Simple Psychology of Guys with Long Hair
Can I Be a Therapist with a Minor in Psychology?
Peeing in Bottles Psychology: An Unusual Habit
Conclusion
To study the psychology of spitting on someone, various factors must be considered. It’s not necessarily true that people who spit on others will share common personality traits.
There can be varied reasons behind like a feeling of pleasure, dominating behavior, psychological disorders and maybe just learned behavior. However, for people who spit on others, there’s something mentally wrong with them.
FAQs
1. What does it mean if someone spits on you?
Universally, it’s a sign of disrespect and a way to humiliate another person.
2. How disrespectful is it to spit on someone?
It’s a disgusting act that has a highly negative effect on the victim’s mental health.
3. Is spitting a sensory behavior?
Not usually! Spitting in public might be due to some sensory issues in rare cases, but spitting on someone is a deliberate act of aggression.
4. How to deal with spitting behavior?
If someone spits on you, it’s better to stay calm and try to remove yourself from the situation. Later, you can contact the authorities for help.
5. What is the significance of spitting?
Spitting on another person is discouraged in all cultures. However, some cultures do take spitting in public lightly, and in some parts, a mother might lightly spit near their child to ward off evil spirits.
6. What does spitting on someone mean?
It means you are disrespecting and humiliating them. Spitting on someone is a way of showing dominance.
7. Psychology of spitting on someone?
There can be various psychological reasons behind spitting on another person, including feelings of pleasure, dominating behavior, psychological disorders, and maybe just learned behavior.