Within human
behavior, the analogy is often claimed to be that members of a certain group
will attempt to negatively diminish the importance or image of any member who
is able to achieve any level of success.
Whether the success is actual or perceived and exceeds that of fellow
members. This type of behavior is the
result of competitive feelings, conspiracy or envy. Crabs on the other hand are not pulling one
another back into the pot due to these feelings, they are simply trying to
escape singularly without the accompaniment of their fellow creature. Human beings on the other hand desire to
escape certain environments, but they do not wish for any others to do so and
take away from their success or exceed it in any manner when they begin to
embody the concept of crab mentality.
This is a term
that has been broadly associated with non-constructive, short sighted thinking
as opposed to the unified constructive, long term thinking. The impact of this type of thinking was first
quantified by a 2015 New Zealand study that was able to demonstrate upwards of
18% of an average exam improvement for students when grades are reported in a
way that prevented others from knowing their position via published
rankings.
The phrase has
grown in popularity due to its ability of accusing opponents of crab mentality
to become a common defense form against criticism. This is regardless of whether or not the
criticism is valid or not. Dependent
upon the context, the tactic of the crab mentality could very well fall under
the logical fallacy that has been come to be known as argumentum as invidiam or
the appeal to envy. The reasoning for
crab mentality may very well be envy as well as it being a behavioral trait
that is indulged upon despite people having a working knowledge that it is more
than disadventurous to them; it can arise from a scarceness of resources that
can lead to competition that is perpetual.
Crab Mentality in Popular Culture
Crab mentality
has found itself referenced and placed on display throughout a variety of
outlets within popular culture. For
example, from the American hip-hop group Gang Starr referenced the behavior in
a track titled, “Moment of Truth”.
Within this track he states the following, “selfish jealous punks will
wanna pull you down, just like some shellfish in a bucket.” Additionally, a hip hop artist from Canada
released a single entitled “Crabbuckit” in 2004. This song portrays the negative views of the
music industry and was able to win the 2005 ‘Best Single of the Year’ at the
Juno awards. Popular artists such as the
Aquabats, Jay Z, and Kanye West have also made reference to the term within
their music.
Musicians are not
the only ones that have done so. The
American animated television show “The Boondocks” has referenced crab mentality
numerous times in relation to the current state of African American culture
within the United States. The miniseries
“The Corner” that was featured on HBO contained a character that was able to
observe the mentality while working a seasonal position. He is able to make the connection to his very
own attempts to transcend the ghetto of Baltimore and the meaning of crab
mentality.
Overview
Crab mentality is
a frame of mind that will leave all that encounter it no better than they were
at their starting point. There is no positive
outcome for any that partake in the behavior and thought process nor those that
are in close proximity to them. At this
time, it is not completely certain as to whether or not those participating in
the behavior are fully aware that they are engaging in it. Should they not be aware, there is truly no
way to curb the behavior, since acknowledgment is key to change. 