negativism /neg″ətiviz′əm/ [L, negare, to deny] , a behavioral attitude characterized by opposition, resistance, the refusal to cooperate with even the most reasonable request, and the tendency to act in a contrary manner. The resulting response may be passive, such as the immobile, rigid postures observed in catatonic schizophrenia, or active, as in a belligerent, impulsive, or capricious act, for example, lowering the arms when asked to raise them or sitting down when asked to stand. Negativism can also be seen in oppositional defiant disorder, borderline personality disorder, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
