PsychologyAugust 17, 2026
demandingness
di-MAN-ding-nes
Definition
The quality of being overly assertive, pushy, or expecting too much from others, often perceived as a negative trait in workplace interactions.
Etymology
Derived from the verb 'demand', which comes from the Old French 'demander' and the Latin 'demandare', meaning to entrust or to order. The suffix '-ness' is added to denote a state or quality.
In the news
The article suggests that using communal language helps soften the perception of demandingness when lower-class employees negotiate, as they often face harsher social penalties for such behavior.
Lower-class employees face greater professional backlash for negotiating their salaries
Read the full article ↗PsyPost