Negativism: Definition in Psychiatry and Psychology Opposition to suggestions or advice and attempts to move the subject results in the subject doing the exact opposite of what people ask of them. Behaviour that is contrary to what is appropriate in a situation or against the wishes of others, including direct opposition to attempts to move. Negativism is often a symptom of catatonia, leading to rigidity (catatonic). It differs slightly from gegenhalten, in which the person resists movement but does not make the opposite movement.