Crab mentality, also known as crab theory,[1][2][3][4][5][excessive citations] crabs in a bucket (also barrel, basket, or pot) mentality, or the crab-bucket effect,[6] is a way of thinking best described by the phrase "if I can't have it, neither can you".[7] The metaphor is derived from a pattern of behavior noted in crabs when they are trapped in a bucket. While any one crab could easily escape,[8] its efforts will be undermined by others, ensuring the group's collective demise.[9][10]
The analogy in human behavior is claimed to be that members of a group will attempt to reduce the self-confidence of any member who achieves success beyond the others, out of envy, resentment, spite, conspiracy, or competitive feelings, to halt their progress.[11][12][13][14]
Effect on performance
Crab mentality affects performance in an organization as humans behave in similar manner as the crabs particularly within social teams.[15] The impact of crab mentality on performance was quantified by a New Zealand study in 2015 which demonstrated up to an 18% average exam result improvement for students when their grades were reported in a way that prevented others from knowing their position in published rankings.[16]
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