Within each individual there is a point where tension increases until it results in stress. People in stress seek to reduce it any way possible, frequently by verbally or psychologically dumping it on the person “responsible” for the tension. Most dumping behaviors are unproductive, and can be destructive to the relationship at hand.

When tension increases,  each  behavioral  style  tends to manifest symptoms and respond to tension in ways (sometimes immature ways) that characterize that behavioral style. Each style has its own unproductive but characteristic manner of “dumping” stress on another.

The Steady Style who resorts to back-up behavior generally gives in or “submits.” The purpose is to avoid conflict at all cost. Although the Steady Style’s back-up behavior on the surface may appear to be a “go-along” attitude, it is not. Resentment builds due to the high tension level, and the subsequent interactions are likely to be filled with distrust and tension.

As a rule, an Influencing Style (like the salesperson in our example) resorts to back-up behavior by verbally attacking the person who causes the stress. And if you have an Influencing Style on the attack, what tends to be your reaction? Most people react with increased tension of their own which, at some point, can push them into stress too. At this point, the relationship has all but ended.

The Conscientious Styles back-up behavior takes the form of withdrawal from the other person or the situation. Being less assertive in nature, a Conscientious Style would rather flee from the unpleasant relationship than deal with it outright. Thus, the Conscientious Style typically seeks more and more information and wants to think it over as a means of avoiding the other person and the stressful situation.

Under stress, the Dominant Styles tends to become overbearing, pushy, uncompromising, and dictatorial. It’s an outgrowth of the Dominant Style. When the Dominant Styles is in back-up behavior, he or she tries to control anyone or anything that gets in his or her way.