Cognitive Scaffold

Preparing your thinking workspace

arrow_back_ios_new
MENTAL MODEL · M11925

Crab Mentality

Crab Mentality
BehaviorHigh supportSocial Psychology
Included
account_tree

Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-30

CORE DEFINITION

A phenomenon in a group where individuals attempt to drag back peers who excel, preventing others from rising, stemming from envy and a zero-sum mindset.

SCAFFOLDING EFFECT

psychology

Reduce cognitive load

In a bucket of crabs, if one is about to climb out, the others will pull it back down; metaphorically, it describes the envious and exclusionary attitude of group members who undermine those who rise.

anchor

Anchor fast decisions

In a group, when one member shows signs of success or upward mobility, others may engage in behaviors to undermine or pull them back, driven by jealousy and a belief that one person's gain is another's loss.

MINIMUM ACTION

In progress 0/2

Practice this model in one real situation:

Check to track your progress (stored locally)
Learning progress0%
account_treeGenealogyexpand_more
menu_bookReferencesexpand_more

Source support: Explicit

  • link
    en.wikipedia.orghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NCIS%3A_New_Orleans_season_5ZH · Explicit
    verified

RELATED MODELS

Related model

Johari Window

Proposed by psychologists Joseph Luft and Harry Ingham, it divides information in interpersonal interactions into four areas: Open Area (known to self/known to others), Blind Spot (unknown to self/known to others), Hidden Area (known to self/unknown to others), and Unknown Area (unknown to self/unknown to others).

arrow_forwardRelated model

Sayre's Law

Sayre’s law is a satirical adage about emotional intensity being disproportionate to the stakes, sometimes especially over small matters.

arrow_forwardRelated model

Negging

Negging ("to neg", meaning "negative feedback") is an act of emotional manipulation whereby a person makes a deliberate backhanded compliment or otherwise flirtatious remark to another person to undermine their confidence and attempt to engender in them a need for the manipulator's approval. The term was coined and prescribed by pickup artists.

arrow_forward