PubHawk
September 2002 PMID 12209862

Whining, griping, and complaining: positivity in the negativity.

Robin M Kowalski

Full text PDF Download social card

Mentions

49
Peak: 30 in May 2019
across 2 sources since May 2019

Extended reach

1,536,580
potential audience

Total likes

32,647

Video views

1,366,302

Mentions per month

May 2019 – Dec 2024

Where it's discussed

  • X / Twitter47 posts
  • YouTube2 videos

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The overall tone reflects curiosity and playful skepticism about negative habits, with many examples citing scientific studies or personal anecdotes, such as claims that swearing relieves stress or nail-biting strengthens immunity. The tone varies from humorous to serious, fostering open-minded exploration of behaviors typically seen as bad, aligning with the article’s message that negative behaviors may have positive side effects.

AgreementNeither agree nor disagree

The discussions show mixed opinions; some agree that certain negative habits may actually have benefits, while others are skeptical or dismissive, indicating a neutral stance overall.

InterestHigh interest

Participants demonstrate high curiosity about the topic, linking habits like swearing and nail-biting to positive effects, and referencing multiple sources and examples to explore this idea.

EngagementModerate engagement

Most discussions involve sharing personal experiences and referencing videos and research, suggesting a moderate level of active engagement and thought.

ImpactNeutral impact

While the conversations are lively and revealing, they seem more exploratory than transformative, with few indicators of broad societal or personal impact from these opinions.

Abstract in brief

  • The positive psychology movement focuses on human strengths and virtues but tends to overlook the potentially positive aspects of negative behaviors like complaining.
  • The article aims to expand the understanding of complaining by exploring its beneficial effects on personal well-being, relationships, and material outcomes.
  • By examining both the negative and positive features of complaining, the article argues that there can be constructive and positive elements even in behaviors often viewed as negative.]
Read the full abstract

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
SciShow
@SciShow · X

Your bad habits might not be so bad after all! https://t.co/jLUMflNx0M https://t.co/5eoTVaRTcG

May 6, 2019 · 11 likes · 2 shares · 114,652 followers View post →
Fable Siegel Lackadaisy Director
@fablepaint · X

Here's an evodevo idea follow me do we this rabbit hole I found during anxiety management: Gumchewing makes it easier to focus while you work, which is something I'm sure many have noticed. The study doesn't seem to know why, but I got an idea (cont) https://t.co/9PksXAzr43

May 7, 2019 · 3 likes · 20,758 followers View post →
Charles Ikenna
@CharlesIkenna23 · X

5 Bad Habits That Aren't All Bad https://t.co/bR2AOuFOLM via @YouTube

May 6, 2019 · 2 likes · 3,224 followers View post →
aleksandra
@aalekaa · X

@buvljakburek @malazlaplava nešto "nečistoće" izgleda zdravo - baš ta izgradnja imuniteta. (videh danas https://t.co/7nuPJWHThP , ko bi rekao...) a sa druge strane povrće koje je blizu zemlje je rizičnije, zaboravih zašto su ono nedavno u US povlačili neke salate...

May 6, 2019 · 1 like · 843 followers View post →
Emerald Australasia
@EmeraldANZ · X

Did you know that swearing can lead to positive outcomes, including stress-relief, communication-enrichment and socialization-enhancement? Well, it is true and it has been reported at our Journal of Managerial Psychology. https://t.co/NAzbJ3Dmjx

Sep 11, 2019 · 1 like · 704 followers View post →
William Wallace
@bill14051 · X

@noitsdanuu https://t.co/9fd3rjn19B

May 15, 2019 · 1 like · 320 followers View post →

All mentions

TSTO
@TraumaToronto · X

@FortySacks https://t.co/KjSN6yPNtZ

Dec 19, 2024 · 245 followers View post →
Peter Thomas
@_pjtho · X

As we were talking about in a side conversation today: “Those who listen to others complain also experience negative effects of complaining, not the least of which is mood contagion.” Some folks are just downers. https://t.co/0LJZypC0QZ

Oct 21, 2022 · 566 followers View post →
Peter Thomas
@_pjtho · X

“Anyone who has encountered a help-rejecting complainer can atest to the aversiveness of interactions with such individuals and to the degree to which people desire to avoid future contact with the person.” https://t.co/0LJZypC0QZ

Oct 5, 2022 · 566 followers View post →
notpj
@pjhoody · X

5 Bad Habits That Aren't All Bad https://t.co/ouRNWgfhGT via @YouTube

Jul 13, 2022 · 5,131 followers View post →
Neal Camerlengo
@demonicneal · X

Huh https://t.co/nduJIBzfg7

Jun 4, 2021 · 285 followers View post →
Varun
@varunep · X

Link:https://t.co/EvwFbQ673g

Jul 12, 2020 · 141 followers View post →
MJ_Hyland
@mj_hyland2025 · X

5 Bad Habits That Aren't All Bad https://t.co/HczAcAxZHO via @YouTube Ha! Vindication. My rampant swearing, habit of launching into angry rants and venting, early childhood thumb-sucking ,are not, it seems, bad for me. Bad for you? Probably/maybe.

May 9, 2020 · 2,505 followers View post →
Chris O'Donnell
@ChrisOD65316390 · X

Amusing Watch abt 5 Things not good for you, tht really are ok? Oh & complaining mayb ok for the complainer? But not so much for those havin to hear it! Gotta tell my daughter tht

Mar 4, 2020 · 138 followers View post →
Chris O'Donnell
@ChrisOD65316390 · X

OMG! This is hilarious. Very funny but true facts!!! Real Facts! Wldnt it be nice to have tht IN REALITY? Not barr's or miscowmich or graham's or .rumps LIES, etc, or the x-repub party, now just common con rump-ets tht lie & deny!!! Enjoy TRUE FACTS!!! https://t.co/asBhwI7XLP

Mar 4, 2020 · 138 followers View post →
Chris O'Donnell
@ChrisOD65316390 · X

Lol

Mar 4, 2020 · 138 followers View post →
Ed Wood
@iEdWood · X

5 Bad Habits That Aren't All Bad https://t.co/Mv81yXmwyw via @YouTube a bit more fab;es solidified and expanded

Jan 6, 2020 · 17 followers View post →
Jwald
@Orey_James · X

5 Bad Habits That Aren't All Bad https://t.co/m1Ymqqi9Mf via @YouTube

Oct 4, 2019 · 1 like · 3 followers View post →
Emerald Australasia
@EmeraldANZ · X

Did you know that swearing can lead to positive outcomes, including stress-relief, communication-enrichment and socialization-enhancement? Well, it is true and it has been reported at our Journal of Managerial Psychology. https://t.co/NAzbJ3Dmjx

Sep 11, 2019 · 1 like · 704 followers View post →
Daily Wisedom
@WisedomDaily · X

@gretchenrubin I've heard that chewing gum is good for focus, and as long as it's non-sweetened, it won't be bad for your teeth. Might be a more pleasant alternative to plastic stirers? Source is from this SciShow video: https://t.co/OEHBvH6Wcz

Sep 8, 2019 · 5 followers View post →
DisasterRuss
@RussellOCarlson · X

https://t.co/wHF7uRyAD9

Sep 5, 2019 · 240 followers View post →
Brooke /weirdly me/
@inawoodenhouse · X

@shivering__gold @catrographer https://t.co/ao9X4RRTXu

Jul 30, 2019 · 1,555 followers View post →
Maximum_clarity
@Maximum_clarity · X

5 Bad Habits That Aren't All Bad https://t.co/SDgZPrvH2g via @YouTube

Jun 29, 2019 · 10 followers View post →
Squish: Social Justice Horror
@silfnix · X

https://t.co/k7R77W8yiM Yaaaay

Jun 18, 2019 · 181 followers View post →
William Wallace
@bill14051 · X

@noitsdanuu https://t.co/9fd3rjn19B

May 15, 2019 · 1 like · 320 followers View post →
Francis Luigi Magpantay
@roiji · X

5 Bad Habits That Aren't All Bad https://t.co/OGxoB2Twc3 via @YouTube

May 14, 2019 · 244 followers View post →
Luca
@SorrisoCattivo · X

https://t.co/C4AtICHBah

May 10, 2019 · 140 followers View post →
QuAsR
@QuAsR · X

5 Bad Habits That Aren't All Bad https://t.co/oPbJrVYSlJ

May 7, 2019 · 100 followers View post →
Fae *Blk Lives
@FaelynWolff · X

5 Bad Habits That Aren't All Bad https://t.co/9nedHq663U via @YouTube

May 7, 2019 · 166 followers View post →
林彥宇
@Liopleus · X

「愛罵髒話的人普遍具備較豐富的詞彙，不過使用厭女髒話者除外。」 各位要注意一下自己使用的髒話ㄛ https://t.co/u1Y87Jxyoh

May 7, 2019 · 59 followers View post →
Dress to Express
@CHElla02654366 · X

RT @SciShow: Your bad habits might not be so bad after all! https://t.co/jLUMflNx0M https://t.co/5eoTVaRTcG

May 7, 2019 · 2 shares · 44 followers View post →
Fable Siegel Lackadaisy Director
@fablepaint · X

Here's an evodevo idea follow me do we this rabbit hole I found during anxiety management: Gumchewing makes it easier to focus while you work, which is something I'm sure many have noticed. The study doesn't seem to know why, but I got an idea (cont) https://t.co/9PksXAzr43

May 7, 2019 · 3 likes · 20,758 followers View post →
Zach Strange
@ZachStrange1 · X

5 Bad Habits That Aren't All Bad https://t.co/R3rop4qwlD via @YouTube

May 7, 2019 · 120 followers View post →
Kaijuking30
@Kaijuking30 · X

https://t.co/PLG76JSCG0

May 6, 2019 · 3,477 followers View post →
Partido Pirata de Chile
@piratachile · X

#DatoPirata

May 6, 2019 · 8,340 followers View post →
AzzarinneTweets
@AzzarinneTweets · X

Do you crack your knuckles? Chew gum constantly? Swear a lot? Bite your nails? Complain? Now you'll have a good, scientific comeback the next time someone tells you why that's bad for you. https://t.co/FlIiUqme28 by @SciShow ft. @hankgreen

May 6, 2019 · 450 followers View post →
William Wallace
@bill14051 · X

RT @SciShow: Your bad habits might not be so bad after all! https://t.co/jLUMflNx0M https://t.co/5eoTVaRTcG

May 6, 2019 · 2 shares · 320 followers View post →
SciShow
@SciShow · X

Your bad habits might not be so bad after all! https://t.co/jLUMflNx0M https://t.co/5eoTVaRTcG

May 6, 2019 · 11 likes · 2 shares · 114,652 followers View post →
Kairo Kitchens
@kairo88 · X

5 Bad Habits That Aren't All Bad https://t.co/J8mxPTjHk8 via @YouTube My nail biting actually had a purpose cause I only missed a few days in high school for wisdom teeth removal never from the flu. Strong immune system I have.

May 6, 2019 · 739 followers View post →
Ezri Dax says Trans Rights.
@HumanMawile · X

https://t.co/hml0l4bIRu

May 6, 2019 · 61 followers View post →
Falling Forward Is Still Progress
@Gyrrakavian · X

5 Bad Habits That Aren't All Bad https://t.co/EonZbZHQW7 via @YouTube

May 6, 2019 · 41 followers View post →
aleksandra
@aalekaa · X

@buvljakburek @malazlaplava nešto "nečistoće" izgleda zdravo - baš ta izgradnja imuniteta. (videh danas https://t.co/7nuPJWHThP , ko bi rekao...) a sa druge strane povrće koje je blizu zemlje je rizičnije, zaboravih zašto su ono nedavno u US povlačili neke salate...

May 6, 2019 · 1 like · 843 followers View post →
Charles Ikenna
@CharlesIkenna23 · X

5 Bad Habits That Aren't All Bad https://t.co/bR2AOuFOLM via @YouTube

May 6, 2019 · 2 likes · 3,224 followers View post →
Master Nabs
@MasterNabs · X

https://t.co/3LKbAzyTwO

May 6, 2019 · 1 like · 217 followers View post →
4chill
@stayathigh · X

5 Bad Habits That Aren't All Bad @SciShow https://t.co/yQnsEW2lqE

May 6, 2019 · 1,926 followers View post →
Pig_River
@PxTron · X

5 Bad Habits That Aren't All Bad https://t.co/rKOMw7Mqdm via @YouTube

May 5, 2019 · 185 followers View post →
M Boyle
@FTPBladeBoyle · X

5 Bad #Habits That Aren't All Bad https://t.co/X2tYPozZZ5 via @YouTube

May 5, 2019 · 14 followers View post →
e-csce
@e_csce · X

5 Bad Habits That Aren't All Bad @ https://t.co/eih1jlNWl5 https://t.co/lNyluDkyFM

May 5, 2019 · 119 followers View post →
Kitty
@kittybravofan · X

5 Bad Habits That Aren't All Bad https://t.co/TQWIMjFOVn via @YouTube

May 5, 2019 · 721 followers View post →
Issues Unite
@abqmalenurse · X

Well, I have done all of these and had people tell me how bad they were for me. Hah!!! https://t.co/DJj2vajDTa

May 5, 2019 · 151 followers View post →
ImmaLion
@XSpBlog · X

Liked on YouTube: 5 Bad Habits That Aren't All Bad https://t.co/Rb8nHoZQzA

May 5, 2019 · 162 followers View post →
POPTOP #science
@poptopitscience · X

5 Bad Habits That Aren't All Bad https://t.co/YdbynVeW3W

May 5, 2019 · 22 followers View post →
Johannes Lüke
@JohannesSLueke · X

New video by SciShow: 5 Bad Habits That Aren't All Bad https://t.co/XAH6obLnaG

May 5, 2019 · 83 followers View post →