Child-like behaviour in Adults

[cognitivekid]

Hello All,

I have to make sure I approach this topic with great care because I do not wish to insult anybody here.

Basically, I was wondering what you guys thought about adults round the ages of 21-25 who still act and behave in the same way a small child in primary school would.

Its not exactly significant as such and I am sure we have all encountered it at some point when we are either at work or university (college) and so on.

But I am almost coming to the end of my first year of BSc Psychology at University. There has been this guy in the class all year who has slowly but surely built up this reputation around him of what he refers to as "respect"?

I am an sure on how to word this, so bare with me - No prejudice remarks intended but his nationality is English, he is studying with in a Welsh university and during our lectures he looks right down on other people, now I know how some of the English feel about the welsh, but is this the case?.
This boy speaks with a tone that is definitely put on and act in the most eccentric and yet condescending way I have ever seen! (yes they both can be done by one person at one time).

He corrects teachers, he corrects students, he is very rude and always sits right at the back of the classroom with two of his friends, who by the way never say anything unless he is next to them.

He has a facebook profile, as we all do. Due to confidentiality I will not release this and certainly can assure you that he has me added as a friend so this is how I know. But he has videos of himself jumping out of a classroom window, putting his face into plant pots? Climbing a stack of highschool desk chairs and then letting himself fall to the floor, resulting in injury???

Fair be it for me to criticise, but is this normal behaviour? or am I just too mature for my age?

I will let you decide.

Thank you

P.S I hope I have caused no offence or prejudiced remarks, if I have, I do apologise, but these are factors I just feel I needed to mention.

[Enigma]

It sounds like a lot of attention seeking behavior, I wouldn't exactly call it child-like; it doesn't sound like he has mentally regressed to a younger age.  He sounds more histrionic or narcissistic. 

[acousticeagle]

I will agree with the previous comment - the behaviour of this person sounds narcissic/attention-seeking. They will be the ones that draw their sense of self-esteem by how much attention grabbing behaviour = attention they get methods.

People like that will attract people of weaker and admiring personalities, and thus is the person doing the attention-seeking made to look like Mr or Ms "Popular".

I am sensing that this is an annoyance to you in classes. A sensitive and more emotionally mature person would find grandstanding behaviour of another in an academic environment annoying.

I would like to suggest that you ignore this person as much as possible. If this annoying person  sees you smirk, or give him looks, then he's got attention from you - albeit negative attention - but attention nonetheless.

Don't get drawn into to this person's world. I'll reiterate, try to ignore him and go about with your own friends and studies. It might be hard, but concentrate on your own thing. Good luck!

[Jenny_C]

I agree with the two posters before me, this guy sounds like he's exhibiting signs of histrionic personality disorder. Obviously his behaviour can be described as immature, but I wouldn't say he's acting like a child.

[hortonpilot]

People don't "grow up" but often retain child behaviors and learn to mask them so they are less obvious.

What is adult behavior ?
How do we define this?


Horton

[sasha90]

In addition to narcissistic/attention-seeking behavior, it seems a little bit like Asperger's? Obviously without having dealt with this person face to face, I couldn't really tell, but the excessive arrogance sounds like an inability to have normal social interaction and understand social relationships.

[hortonpilot]

He sounds more histrionic or narcissistic. 

The world is full of people like this .
Just ignore as best you can.

Horton

[RogerP44]

It sounds as if this young man, to me, is seeking attention, and by performing juvenile acts, such as with the flower pot, he is acting out against something. Be it whatever, he is attempting to show that he is a bit better than most also, as you mentioned "looking down" at others. If I were in your position, I would seek another friend, as this one is exhibiting destructive behavior.Good luck, and the best of mental health.

[MG1991]

Possible, due to his eccentric behavior, he somehow unconciously feels guilty. To me it seems he falls into one of the Defense Mechanisms of Regression, where the adults, who may be mature or act as so may refer to their childish behavior to feel safer or better.

[Zepher08]

"He sounds more histrionic or narcissistic. " ~ Enigma

Thinking here that intellect ... emotional intelligence is that of a narcissist with the need for attention and the air of superiority.

Narcissist do not exactly grow emotionally even if the intellectual properties do.

[hortonpilot]

Sometimes needing people is not what is in one's best interests?

Lone dog travels fastest!
And fewer problems...........

[gone]

It's a well known saying the Welsh don't like the English. (you got it the wrong way around) I wonder what nationality has got to do with this (and the empahaise on NO PREJUDICES)..

What is YOUR interest in this person? Are you jealous? Are you trying to work him out? Why the interest?

Acts like that can make a person popular within a peer group. Usually at high school, so guess you're right in saying his behavour is a little immature. But I guess that's all. And an attempt at being popular, the joker etc.. Although arrogant as well. How do the rest of the class respond to him? And if he corrects teachers and students then surely he's an 'asset' :-)