C068

Grudge Holding

B06 Aesthetics, Meaning & Social Bonds
Core LayerMML-2

Version v1.3.2

Definition

The tendency to hold a long-term negative account toward a specific person for past harm, and how strongly it shapes behavior.

Poles

Each HES element is a spectrum, not a category: the Low and High poles describe how it presents at its two extremes, while the Reference marks the typical, everyday middle. The poles map variation across the range — neither end is inherently better or worse.

Low Pole

Low grudge holding: negative account dissipates quickly; even after conflict, the person does not keep a long internal ledger.

High Pole

Ledger is kept for a long time; the person may act through the lens of the past for years.

Reference

Negativity persists for some time but weakens as relations normalize.

Measure

Ledger duration: how long the negative account remains active and decision-relevant.

Measuring Methods

Real conflict histories: persistence of coldness/punitive intent.
Diary: return frequency to the specific person/episode.
Observation: avoidance, passive aggression, long-tail sabotage patterns.

Empirical Anchor

Grudge holding / unforgiveness (McCullough et al., 2001); revenge motivation (McCullough et al., 2013).

Notes

Distinct from rumination: rumination can be self/world-focused; a grudge is person-specific and debt-based.
Risks at MIN: insufficient protection from repeated harm (if no other mechanisms).
Risks at MAX: chronic stress, relationship destruction. Distinct from D102Grievance Maintenance Style: C068 measures how long the ledger is kept (retention); D102 measures how often it is deployed (reactivation).

Citation

APA

Human Elements System. (2026). Grudge Holding (HES Passport C068, v1.3.2). hestable.com. https://hestable.com/passport/C068

BibTeX

@misc{hes_C068, author = {{Human Elements System}}, title = {{Grudge Holding}}, year = {2026}, note = {HES Passport C068, v1.3.2}, howpublished = {\url{https://hestable.com/passport/C068}} }