Pedantic behaviour - how to handle such individuals

Marriam Webster dictionary describes a pedantic as an insulting word used to describe someone who annoys others by correcting small errors, caring too much about minor details, or emphasizing their own expertise especially in some narrow or boring subject matter.

Very frequently in our daily interactions with people we come across people who do not contribute to the discourses but are over eager to correct others when they make a small mistake. Out of courtesy the majority of the people or friends take it as a one off behaviour and ignore the person and the posting. But the issue gets aggravated  when it becomes a very conscious affair and the person is not ready to understand its impact on others and the behaviour becomes a nuisance in the group of friends or colleagues.

Pedant painting by Thomas Rowlandson

Of late such behaviour is observed among people in whatsapp groups on the Internet. These people remain quiet most of the time and are not intgerested in contributing to the group discussions (as they think the group discussions are too silly and not important or serious enough to be worthy of their comments, a superiority complex), But these people are also the first to correct a social media post which is not accurate and not meant to be accurate or authentic, as social media posts are meant to entertain the members of the group.

By correcting the sender of the post, these pedantics get the satisfaction of having corrected someone and giving a self massage to their massive superior egos. 

The psychology science of such pedantic behaviour from people can be understood in an article by David Steele in the Guardian of May 2017. Click here , More often than not, it arises out of a feeling of showing off one's knowledge and superiority complex among friends and colleagues. The preference of these individuals to play spoil sport in such social groups arises out of an unmet urge for recognition from others.

These people criticise when it is not that important in the grand scheme of things in the specific context, other than giving the pedant a false feeling of being important or being heard.

The way to handle such people is to avoid interactions with and ignore such people. But if it is not possibe, tell the people that their point is good and will be considered. Giving them a feeling of importance that their objections are being consiedered and their knowledge in the area is being recognised by the group is enough for them to remain silent for the time being, till they come with more objections later on.

Pointing such people of their pedantic behavious may cause a minor embarrassment in the beginning, but in the long run it can be beneficial to the affected person in comunicating with other people from the society effectively,

George.