What is watchman's syndrome and where does it come from

What is "watchman's syndrome"

This is the burning desire of the "little man" to demonstrate power for the most insignificant reason and even without it. The "watchman's syndrome" has many synonyms, sometimes sarcastic: "cloakroom attendant syndrome", "gatekeeper", "wicket general" and so on.

The "little man" is mentioned for a reason. Deliberate, aggressive authority is often demonstrated by people who are not in the highest positions. For example, a cleaning lady who waves with a mop and prevents people from walking on the "freshly washed floor." A security guard who will not let you into the room, because "not ordered." A wardrobe employee who pretends not to notice the outstretched coat, and in response to a polite cough with hatred, will report that she is busy. Or a petty official who will drive tea, knowing full well that a line is gathering at his door.

Where does the "watchman's syndrome" come from?

There is no disease or mental disorder with that name. This is only an eloquent description of a social phenomenon. Therefore, it is useless to look for the causes of "watchman's syndrome" in the medical literature. However, some indirect data can still be found.

So, psychologists believeTobias Greitemeyer, Christina Sagioglou. Subjective socioeconomic status causes aggression: A test of the theory of social deprivation / Journal of personality and social psychologythat there is a direct link between low social status and the level of aggression towards others.

People with low social status are more likely to demonstrateThe Dark Tetrad of Personality: A Review of Contemporary Research / Cyberleninka qualities from the so-called dark tetrad of personality: Machiavellianism (a tendency to manipulate) and mild narcissism, sadism, psychopathy.

Usually this "dark" aggression is turned on in relation to those who in one way or another emphasize the disadvantage of the social status of the "watchman". For example, a tired cleaning lady can be especially unfriendly to carefree students, and an official overwhelmed with boring paperwork can be especially unfriendly to well-dressed, smiling visitors.

However, aggression is a largely unconscious action. As suggestedMichelle F. Wright1, Sebastian Wachs and Zheng Huang. Adolescents ’Popularity ‑ Motivated Aggression and Prosocial Behaviors: The Roles of Callous ‑ Unemotional Traits and Social Status Insecurity / Drontiers in Psychology researchers, this is a kind of defensive reaction that is associated with an inner feeling of insecurity. The "little man" is incapable of fixing own life and therefore grasps at any opportunity to show that he at least means something and controls something.

Why is the "watchman's syndrome" so pronounced in post-Soviet society

This is a curious phenomenon. Several years ago, users of the popular American resource for linguists English Language & Usage Stack Exchange tried to findSomeone who thinks he’s very important, but isn’t / Stack Exchange analogue of "watchman's syndrome" in English. And they came to the conclusion that there is no exact equivalent. "Watchman's syndrome" is a unique Russian or, generally speaking, soviet and a post-Soviet invention.

Of course, in fact, "watchmen" are everywhere. Because situations when a person is dissatisfied with his own low status and takes out resentment on others for this is a phenomenon, in general, widespread and does not depend on the place of residence.

An illustrative example is one of the episodes of "South Park", in which Eric Cartman was forced to become the attendant along the corridor. When the hero realized that this tedious and low-prestige activity gives power, he began to command everyone.

Nevertheless, the “watchman's syndrome” is indeed more pronounced in post-Soviet society. It is difficult to name any unambiguous reason, but it is realistic to put forward some assumptions.

For example, we can talk about a difference in cultures. In the West, the concept of self-maidmen is popular - people who started from scratch and achieved success. According to this idea, it is not shameful to have a low social status. This is either a conscious choice of a person, or a short intermediate stage. A security guard or a cleaning lady does not need to break away at others: they, like everyone else, flounder to the best of their ability, sometimes go to the bottom, and then emerge to success.

In Soviet society, social roles were rigidly distributed, and change profession and it was very difficult to jump from one status to a higher one. And often it is also unacceptable: those who found the USSR will surely remember the "flyers" who were ridiculed in Soviet humorous magazines. A person, finding himself in a difficult social situation, does not see the opportunity to change something and only drives the negative inside. And from time to time, the latter manifests itself in the form of "dark" aggression.

However, there is some good news. As society drifts towards the idea that everyone is the blacksmith of their own happiness, the "watchman" becomes less. Perhaps in a few generations this phenomenon will disappear forever.

What to do if you run into a "watchman"

There are several options. Choose the one that is closer to you personally.

Overlook

This method saves your nerves, but it takes time and money. "It is forbidden?" Okay, shrug our shoulders, take a deep breath and go around the "watchman" side. Patiently we are waiting for the cloakroom attendant to take our jacket, and the official outside the door finishes his tea. We comprehend Zen and calmly get the desired result after a while.

Put the "watchman" in place

This is not so difficult to do. Call to the chief. Raise voice. It's cold to say: "I have the right to go here, and cleaning is your job."

You may look impolite, but resolve your question.

Give the "watchman" what he lacks so much

One small study foundThe Psychology of Social Status / Scientific American: if you help a person feel more important, the level aggression will decrease and there will be an opportunity for cooperation. Try to find a way to show the “watchman” that you respect him and his work.

How to do this depends on the situation. For example, you might say to a noisy cleaning lady, “I'm going to dry my feet and walk very, very carefully. Indeed, it is so clean here! " To inform the official: “This is very important! I was told that only you can help, no one else. "

Yes, it kind of sounds like flattery. On the other hand, you really help the person who has lost their support to feel significant. And if you have a resource for this, then perhaps you have found the most humane solution to the problem.