Which toxic behavior is defined by humiliation, sarcasm, put-downs, and public embarrassment?

• A. Passive Hostility
• B. Shaming
• C. Team Sabotage
• D. Indifference

Answer: (B)

Shaming is the behavior defined by humiliating someone to undermine their dignity, using sarcasm, put-downs, and public embarrassment. In a workplace, this kind of conduct creates a hostile climate and erodes psychological safety, because people learn that it’s acceptable to degrade others in front of the group. The effect is a culture where individuals fear ridicule and are less willing to speak up or share ideas.

Other toxic patterns don’t fit as precisely. Passive hostility relies on indirect, covert aggression rather than explicit public humiliation. Team sabotage is about undermining the team’s work or goals, not about publicly belittling a person. Indifference is a lack of care or engagement, which stings but doesn’t involve belittling or embarrassing someone.

So the behavior described—humiliation, sarcasm, put-downs, and public embarrassment—best fits shaming.