Crab mentality
Crab mentality has existed in the Deaf community for a long time. Those like Doug Alker and Dorothy Miles had attested to various audiences such as the 1880 Committee, Federation of Deaf People etc that Deaf were always trying to pull a substantial number of others down. Dorothy also discussed with her experiences with me on this in the late 1980s – and she thought it was a reason why the Deaf, at least in the UK, found it difficult to get any real progress going. Her explanation involved giving a nice poetic exposition of how the Deaf did this!
Hence it came as quite a surprise to find the subject was still being discussed even in 2025 – and that is because despite progress, crab mentality hasn’t exactly gone away – as this recent discussion on Reddit shows.
A number of decades ago there was also a discussion at one of the 1880 Committee meetings (this being the anti discrimination, pro rights Deaf group that was set up by Doug Alker and others) that took place at Victoria, and was based around the issue of crab mentality. (It wasn’t described as such then, but rather described in sign as a reverse sort of whack a mole, except it was Deaf people popping up and then being unceremoniously pulled down.
Amazingly at the recent Visual Vernacular show at the Wellcome Centre’s 1880 That – a modified version of this whack-a-mole effect was also seen. In large it illustrated how the hearing pulled the Deaf down, but also it denoted that other Deaf did the same too – as evidenced in part of the show.
Crab mentality is no doubt a recent descriptive name – thanks to the widespread knowledge given by the Internet – that describes the ‘syndrome’ being effected).
Doug Alker too discussed this in his biography and also fairly implicitly in a recent Lumo TV interview. Its at about 15.45 minutes into that interview where he cites that ‘we’ve always argued with each other. We should be looking out there taking our arguments out there. We spend too much time arguing with each other and getting nowhere.’
Paddy Ladd (in the thrid part of his Lumo TV interview) says ‘I’m used to seeing the deaf community in England being apathetic when it comes to sitting down to discuss ideas… So how do we change it?’ On the other hand Terry Riley thought the Deaf community was becoming more apathic. (Lumo TV at 13.30).
The 1880 Committee’s banner. Scanned from a leaflet published in February 1991.
If one does not know what the 1880 Committee was, in more detail it was a group set up by Doug Alker to promote Deaf culture and rights. It was very popular and its meetings were always full – other Deaf Groups – such as the BSL Rights Campaigns during the 1980s and 1900s, the BDA South Regional Council and also the Deaf consumer meetings run by Linda Richards and Ruth Roberts are examples of meetings held at 10 Warwick Row in London’s Victoria. There was one meeting which revolved around the issue of cochlear implants (it was a new thing then) and there was much anger at the idea that medicine could hope to (in a subtle way as its the paternalistic way of doing things) force cochlear implants on the Deaf. The building at Warwick Row was owned by Westminster Social Services and groups could hold meetings there for free. The building was originally opened by the London County Council in 1961. The centre was closed probably in late 1990s and a new residential development was later built on the site.
After the 1880 Committee (and many other Deaf meetings) everyone went for a pint at The Stag public house. The Stag too no longer exists.
Back to that subject, crab mentality. It is a ridiculous thing no doubt. Evidently some see others as a competition and so they must be resisted.
However, the idea of doing better than others is patently ridiculous – especially when its all about the self. Sadly a lot of society is built this way. Keeping up with the Joneses being one example. Whatever next door does has to be matched our even outdone. Its basically a waste of time when two different parties try to up the ante against each other. Evidently its about their wanting to be a better version of the other. Ultimately no-one can be a better version of any other and its not something that can be easily understood.
Thus crab mentality, or rather an alliterative version of what is known as ‘competition,’ is just naff, passe, backwards. Deaf21 isn’t even interested in that sort of thing – it has no desire to be better – it is simply just a modus where useful time is spent writing stuff and that because its what the author wants. There is no intent on any kind of gain, beneficial or malicious being garnered out of Deaf21. Those that ARE competing, well they’re ‘better’ of course and that’s the irony! If people want to compete, pull others down, that’s no doubt their thing. Its just like men who have conducted war and conflict for centuries and still just can’t get it into their heads that sort of thing does no good.
To round up, here’s a bit of Google AI on crab mentality:
Crab mentality, or “crabs in a bucket” syndrome, is a human tendency to undermine or sabotage others who are trying to achieve success, out of envy, insecurity, or resentment. The metaphor comes from the behavior of crabs trapped in a bucket, where any crab that tries to climb out is pulled back down by the others, ensuring no one escapes. This mentality can occur in personal, social, and professional settings, leading to a lack of support and hindering collective progress.
Manifestations of Crab Mentality
- Undermining efforts: People might criticize, belittle, or gossip about someone who is succeeding.
- Lack of support: Instead of offering encouragement, individuals with this mentality may actively discourage others from pursuing goals.
- Competitive comparison: A constant feeling of competition and a focus on outdoing others, rather than mutual growth.
- Scarcity mindset: A belief that another person’s gain somehow comes at their own loss, even if this isn’t the case.
Causes of Crab Mentality
- Envy and jealousy: Resentment towards others for achieving success or happiness.
- Insecurity and low self-esteem: A sense of inadequacy or a fear of being left behind by those who advance.
- Fixed mindset: A rigid way of thinking that makes it difficult to accept or be happy for others’ achievements.
- Discontent with one’s own circumstances: A desire to “keep others down” when feeling stuck in an unfulfilling situation.
Impacts of Crab Mentality
- Stifled progress: The collective potential of a group is limited when members are busy pulling each other down.
- Toxic environments: It can create a negative and unhealthy atmosphere in workplaces and other social groups.
- Hurt feelings and isolation: Individuals who are targeted may feel demotivated, their spirits broken, and may eventually withdraw from the group.
