Grudge-Holding in Academia According to Academics' Opinions

Abstract

Individuals sometimes have negative feelings towards others as a result of the events they experience, which, over time, may turn into grudge-holding behaviours. Many people exhibit such grudge-holding behavior even in universities which are supposed to be free, scientific and impartial organizations. It negatively affects both the life of the grudge-holding individual and the person this grudge is directed at, and it may result in irreparable harm. This study aimed to reveal academics' opinions on grudge-holding behavior by using the phenomenological qualitative methodology. The research was conducted with 13 volunteering academics from a state university in the 2017-2018 academic year. The data were collected through the interview method. According to the research findings, most of the academics who participated in the research hold a grudge. Holding grudge affects not only the inter-personal relationships of an individual but also his/her professional actions. Holding grudge negatively affects an individual's psychology and causes inter-personal problems.