Look up resent or resentment in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

Facial expressions of bitterness

Resentment (also called ranklement or bitterness) is the experience of a negative emotion (anger or hatred, for instance)^[1] felt as a result of a real or imagined wrong done. Etymologically, the word originates from French "ressentir", re-, intensive prefix, and sentir "to feel"; from the Latin "sentire". The English word has become synonymous with anger, spite, and bitterness.

Robert C. Solomon, a professor of continental philosophy at the University of Texas at Austin, places resentment on the same line-continuum with contempt and anger. According to him, the differences between the three emotions are as follows: resentment is directed towards higher-status individuals, anger is directed towards equal-status individuals and contempt is directed towards lower-status individuals.^[2]

Resentment can be triggered by an emotionally disturbing experience felt again or relived in the mind. When the person feeling resentment is directing the emotion at themself it appears as remorse.^[3]

Psychology[link]

Causes[link]

Resentment can result from a variety of situations, involving a perceived wrong doing from an individual, and often are sparked by expressions of injustice or humiliation. Common sources of resentment include publicly humiliating incidents such as accepting negative treatment without voicing any protest, an object of regular discrimination or prejudice, envy/jealousy, feeling used or taken advantage of by others, and having achievements go unrecognized, while others succeed without working as hard. Resentment can also be generated by dyadic interactions, such as emotional rejection or denial by another person, deliberate embarrassment or belittling by another person, or ignorance, putting down, or scorn by another person.^[4]

Signs[link]

A pinched and bitter facial expression

Unlike many emotions, resentment does not have physical tags exclusively related to it that telegraph when a person is feeling this emotion. However, physical expressions associated with related emotions such as anger and envy may be exhibited, such as furrowed brows or bared teeth.^[5]

Resentment can be self-diagnosed by looking for signs such as the need for emotion regulation, such as faking happiness while with a person to cover true feelings toward him or speaking in a sarcastic or demeaning way to or about the person. It can also be diagnosed through the appearance of agitation- or dejection-related emotions, such as feeling inexplicably depressed or despondent, becoming angry for no apparent reason, or having nightmares or disturbing daydreams about a person.^[6]

Effects[link]

Resentment is most powerful when it is felt toward someone whom the individual is close to or intimate with. To have an injury resulting in resentful feelings inflicted by a friend or loved one leaves the individual feeling betrayed as well as resentful, and these feelings can have deep effects.^[1]

Resentment is an emotionally debilitating condition that, when unresolved, can have a variety of negative results on the person experiencing it, including touchiness or edginess when thinking of the person resented, denial of anger or hatred against this person, and provocation or anger arousal when this person is recognized positively. It can also have more long-term effects, such as the development of a hostile, cynical, sarcastic attitude that may become a barrier against other healthy relationships, lack of personal and emotional growth, difficulty in self-disclosure, trouble trusting others, loss of self-confidence, and overcompensation.^[4] By contrast, resentment does not have any direct negative effects on the person resented, save for the deterioration of the relationship involved.

To further compound these negative effects, resentment often functions in a downward spiral. Resentful feelings cut off communication between the resentful person and the person he or she feels committed the wrong, and can result in future miscommunications and the development of further resentful feelings.^[7] Because of the consequences they carry, resentful feelings are dangerous to live with and need to be dealt with. Resentment is an obstacle to the restoration of equal moral relations among persons,^[1] and must be handled and expunged via introspection and forgiveness.

Psychologist James J. Messina recommends five steps to facing and resolving resentful feelings. (1) Identify the source of the resentful feelings and what it is the person did to evoke these feelings, (2) develop a new way of looking at past, present and future life, including how resentment has affected life and how letting go of resentment can improve the future, (3) write a letter to the source of the resentment, listing offenses and explaining the circumstances, then forgive and let go of the offenses (but do not send the letter), (4) visualize a future without the negative impact of resentment, and (5) if resentful feelings still linger, return to Step 1 and begin again.^[4]

Comparison with other emotions[link]

Resentment is considered to be synonymous with anger, spite, and other similar emotions; however, while it may incorporate elements of these emotions, resentment is distinct from these emotions in several ways. Aside from sharing similar facial expressions, resentment and anger differ primarily in the way they are externally expressed. Anger results in aggressive behavior, used to avert or deal with a threat,^{[citation needed]} while resentment occurs once the injury has been dealt and is not expressed as aggressively or as openly.

Resentment and spite also differ primarily in the way they are expressed. Resentment is unique in that it is almost exclusively internalized, where it can do further emotional and psychological damage but does not strongly impact the person resented. By contrast, spite is exclusively externalized, involving vindictive actions against a (perceived or actual) source of wrong. Spiteful actions can stem from resentful feelings, however.

Academic perspectives[link]

Philosopher Robert C. Solomon wrote extensively on the emotion of resentment and its negative effects on those who experience it. Solomon describes resentment as the means by which man clings to his self-respect. He wrote that it is in this moment when humanity is at its lowest ebb.

Modern culture[link]

The Alcoholics Anonymous organization cites resentment as the number one offender, and one of the greatest threats to an alcoholic.^[8] Several of the Twelve Steps of AA involve identifying and dealing with resentment as part of the path toward recovery, including acknowledging one's own role in resentment and praying for the resentment to be taken away. .^[9]

Resentment can also play a role in racial and ethnic conflicts, both in the United States and abroad. Resentment is cited as having infected the structure of social value, and is thus a regular catalyst in conflicts sparked by inequality.^[10] It can also be one of the emotions experienced during class conflict, particularly by the oppressed social class.

See also[link]

• Anger
• Grudge
• Remorse
• Ressentiment
• Revenge
• Spite
• Cynicism
• Post-traumatic embitterment disorder

References[link]

v t e Emotions (list) Emotions Adoration Affection Agony Awe Amusement Anger Anguish Annoyance Anxiety Arousal Attraction Caring Compassion Contempt Contentment Defeat Dejection Depression Desire Despair Disappointment Disgust Ecstasy Embarrassment Empathy Enthrallment Enthusiasm Envy Euphoria Excitement Fear Frustration Grief Guilt Happiness Hatred Homesickness Hope Horror Hostility Humiliation Hysteria Infatuation Insecurity Insult Interest Irritation Isolation Jealousy Loneliness Longing Love Lust Melancholy Neglect Optimism Panic Passion Pity Pleasure Pride Rage Regret Rejection Remorse Resentment Sadness Sentimentality Shame Shock Sorrow Spite Suffering Surprise Sympathy Tenseness Thrill Revenge Wonder Worry Diligence Zest Worldviews Compatibilism Existentialism Fatalism Incompatibilism Metaphysics Nihilism Optimism Pessimism Reclusion Social justice Weltschmerz Source: Parrott, W. (2001), Emotions in Social Psychology, Psychology Press, Philadelphia.

Jazmine Sullivan
Jazmine Sullivan in 2009.
Background information
Born	(1987-04-09) April 9, 1987 (age 25) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Genres	R&B, soul, pop
Occupations	Recording artist, actress
Instruments	Vocals
Years active	2003—present
Labels	J Records, Arista, RCA Puppy Love
Website	JazmineSullivanMusic.com

Jazmine Marie Sullivan (born April 9, 1987) is an American recording artist from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She is also the protégé of rapper Missy Elliott. Her debut single "Need U Bad" reached number one on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, while her second single, "Bust Your Windows" peaked at number four. Elements of reggae, dub, pop, jazz, Neo soul and doo-wop can be heard in her work. Jazmine cites singers Kim Burrell, Lauryn Hill, Brandy, Dorinda Clark Cole, Lady Saw, and Changing Faces as her biggest influences and inspirations.^[1]

Early life[link]

Born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Jazmine Sullivan grew up the middle sister La'Vita between an older brother Donnell and younger brother Andre. Her mother Pam is a former backup singer for Philadelphia International Records. When she was 5 years old, her father landed a position as a curator for the city's Historic Strawberry Mansion in the Strawberry Mansion section, and her family moved into the historical landmark. Sullivan struggled to assimilate at school. She is a 2005 graduate of the Philadelphia High School for the Creative and Performing Arts where she was a vocal music major.^[2] Sullivan began singing with her pressed Dramatic Contralto in the children’s choir, then a few years later in the adult choir . Sullivan’s exposure to secular music was initially limited, "I was doing solos in church and someone wanted me to sign to a gospel label when I was eleven but I wasn’t ready to do that," she recalls. "Then when McDonald’s had a competition for kids in major cities, I got a chance to perform 'Accept What God Allows' on It's Showtime at the Apollo and the audience responded really well".^[3] She sang with Stevie Wonder at his grandson's birthday at the age of 13. Sullivan was initially signed to Jive Records at the age 16. There, she recorded an entire album titled Break My Little Heart, but the album was never released and Sullivan was dropped from the label. She maintained a working relationship with Missy Elliott, who had produced some of the tracks for Heart, and continued writing songs until she landed her current deal at J Records.

Music career[link]

Songwriting and Career Beginnings (2004—present)[link]

Before releasing her debut album, a song that Jazmine had written and recorded with producers Cool & Dre titled "Say I" was given to Dre's then-girlfriend Christina Milian for her third album, So Amazin'. The song became the lead single, peaking at #13 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart as well as #21 on the Hot 100. After achieving her own success (she co-wrote her entire debut), Jazmine went on to pen songs for Jennifer Hudson, Monica and Fantasia Barrino.

[edit] 2008-2009: Fearless

Sullivan first appeared on the music mainstream scene with her debut single "Need U Bad", released in May 2008. The song, which featured additional vocals by Missy Elliott and Sandy "Pepa" Denton of Salt-n-Pepa fame, went to number one on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and also peaked at number thirty-seven on the Billboard Hot 100. Sullivan's debut album Fearless was released on September 23, 2008. Sullivan wrote every song on the album, and she served as a producer alongside Missy Elliott, Salaam Remi and Peter Edge. The album received production from Elliott, Remi, Stargate, Carvin & Ivan, Jack Splash, and Fisticuffs. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums chart and debuted at number six on the Billboard 200. The album is nearing an RIAA Gold certification, as the album has sold 510,000 records in the US so far. Sullivan followed up her successful debut single with the second single from Fearless, "Bust Your Windows", which was released in September 2008 and reached number four on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and number thirty-one on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming her most successful single on that chart to date. "Bust Your Windows" was also nominated for a Grammy for Best R&B Song, though it did not win the award. "Lions, Tigers & Bears" was released as the album's third single in December 2008. It scored her third consecutive top ten on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, reaching number ten on that chart, and garnered some mainstream success by reaching number seventy-four on the Billboard Hot 100. Sullivan later pursued success in the UK when she released "Dream Big" as her first official UK single in February 2009, though it failed to chart there. The song was later released as the fourth US single from the album in April 2009, but also failed to chart there. The album's fifth and final single, "In Love with Another Man", was released in August 2009 and was only moderately successful by reaching number thirty-seven on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. A sixth single, "Switch!", was going to be released in November 2009, though its release was later canceled. Sullivan was featured on a song entitled "Smoking Gun" with Jadakiss on his 2009 album The Last Kiss. She was also a supporting act for R&B singer Maxwell on his highly successful 2008 U.S. tour and was the opening act for Ne-Yo's 2009 Year of the Gentleman Tour. She additionally appeared on Ace Hood's second album, Ruthless, on a song called "Champion". She also participated in the Essence Music Festival in June 2009 and headlined a few dates leading up to her Essence Festival performance with support from R&B singer/producer Ryan Leslie. In 2009, Sullivan appeared in commercials for Cotton Incorporated. Additionally, Sullivan made a guest appearance on Snoop Dogg's tenth studio album Malice n Wonderland on the song "Different Languages".

[edit] 2009-11: Love Me Back

Sullivan began working on her second album in 2009.^[4] Producers contributing to the album included Ne-Yo, Los da Mystro, Ryan Leslie, Lamb, Missy Elliott^[5] and Salaam Remi,^{[citation needed]} who produced the majority of Fearless. Songs recorded for the album include "Blow", "Don't Make Me Wait" (a tribute to Prince), and a reported sequel to "Bust Your Windows" titled "You Get On My Nerves", which was co-written by Ne-Yo.^[5] Love Me Back, Sullivan's second album, was released on November 30, 2010.^[4] The album was completed in June 2010. The album has been preceded by the lead single, "Holding You Down (Goin' In Circles)", which was released on July 10, 2010. The single has reached number 3 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. The album's second single, "10 Seconds", was released to radio airplay in late September, and has since then peaked at a position of 31 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. The song was at first to be released on October 25, but was released on November 22 ; the music video for the single was released on November 12. In early December 2010, Billboard honoured Sullivan as the 'Rising Star' for 2010.^[6]

2011-Present: New studio Album[link]

Currently, Jazmine is working on her 3rd studio album.^[7]

On October 7, RCA Music Group announced it was disbanding J Records along with Arista Records and Jive Records. With the shutdown, Sullivan (and all other artists previously signed to these three labels) will release her future material on the RCA Records brand.^[8][9]

Discography[link]

• 2008: Fearless
• 2010: Love Me Back
• 2013: TBA

Awards/Nominations[link]

• BET Awards
  • 2009, Best Female R&B Artist (Nominated)
  • 2009, Best New Artist (Nominated)
  • 2009, BET Centric Award (Winner)

• Grammy Awards
  • 2009, Best New Artist (Nominated)
  • 2009, Best Female R&B Vocal Performance: "Need U Bad" (Nominated)
  • 2009, Best R&B Contemporary Album: "Fearless" (Nominated)
  • 2009, Best R&B Song: "Bust Your Windows" (Nominated)
  • 2009, Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance: "In Love With Another Man" (Nominated)
  • 2010, Best Female R&B Vocal Performance: Lions, Tigers & Bears (Nominated)
  • 2010, Best R&B Song: Lions, Tigers & Bears (Nominated)
  • 2011, Best Female R&B Vocal Performance: "Holding You Down (Goin' In Circles)" (Nominated)

• Image Awards
  • 2009, Outstanding New Artist (Nominated)

• Soul Train Awards
  • 2009, Best New Artist (Nominated)
  • 2009, Best R&B Song, Lions, Tigers and Bears (Nominated)

• ASCAP Award
  • 2011, R&B/Hip Hop Song, "Holding You Down (Goin' In Circles)" (Winner)

Filmography[link]

• The Ellen Degeneres Show' (2008) Herself
• The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (2008) (TV series) - Herself
• "106 & Park" (2008) (TV series) - Herself
• "The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson" (2009) (TV series) - Herself
• "Jimmy Kimmel Live! (2009) (TV series) - Herself^[10]
• "Good Morning America" (2009) (TV series) - Herself
• Red Tails (2012) - Deborah "Love Bunny" Gannett

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Jazmine Sullivan

• Official website
• Jazmine Sullivan interview by Pete Lewis, 'Blues & Soul' September 2009
• Allmusic page
• Music Review - Jazmine Sullivan - Singing That Sweet Soul Music at S.O.B.’s at New York Times
• Myspace page