Being bad/evil to get attention (adult, people)

[Trimac20]

Forgive me if this is too similar to the thread I just started. But I was wondering how often people, from young toddlers to adults, act up or behave badly simply as a way of getting attention?

Think of the spoilt child who does something bad just to get attention. Throws a tantrum, bullies his/her sibling.

In this society, there's this strange thing about 'bad' being 'cool.' Being rebellious for it's own sake. For some reason, I never got that. There were 'bad' things I did like doing drugs, but I never did them to be rebellious or cool (okay maybe the latter a bit lol) but because I was simply curious.

In adulthood, there are those who commit crimes purely for the notoriety it gains them. They range from petty crimes to serial killing. They may revel in their reputation as being evil. I don't know if there's a psychological name for it, but maybe it's something that isn't addressed enough?

[nightlysparrow]

In psychological language, it's called seeking negative attention.

It's preferable to getting no attention.

[dub dub II]

Yeah...being good gets you no recognition, being bad at least someone takes notice.
The easy way is to start recognizing those who do good...

[Trimac20]

^ Yeah since being notorious or famous is many people's no. 1 priority (pride/ego), they start acting up.