Resentment

Resentment is a sustained internal feeling of injustice, bitterness, or perceived mistreatment that may develop over time within a subject. While not always leading to overt action, resentment alters the subject’s psychological orientation toward the organization or its members, potentially lowering thresholds for future misconduct.

Resentment often originates from subjective perceptions of unfairness—such as feeling overlooked, underappreciated, marginalized, or treated unequally. It may be directed at individuals (e.g., managers, peers) or the organization itself. Unlike motives that are reactive or sudden, resentment is typically a chronic state that develops quietly and may go undetected in traditional monitoring systems.

Resentment should be viewed as a risk amplifier rather than an immediate driver of malicious action. It often lays the psychological groundwork for escalation into more active motives, including retaliation or sabotage. Intervention strategies may be more effective during this stage than after escalation.