Pertinent Negative

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Introduction

This paper seeks to examine the Pertinent Negative concept and how it relates to our behaviors

and perceptions. Pertinent Negative is a term that was used traditionally by doctors to assist in

the identification of the causes of a patient’s symptoms (Burkus, 2016). However, it has been

used in other areas of study. Sometimes, our perception can ignore essential elements when we

scan our surroundings and tend to focus on what is present and ignore the missing information—

Pertinent Negative tries to show the importance of the information which cannot be seen.

Pertinent Negative has various benefits in human interactions. Social interaction can be

improved by being aware of pertinent negative. What is contemporary is apparent, phony and

simply detected by a many individual (Burkus, 2016). Nevertheless, when individuals take the

time and effort to notice that predictable behavior is not extant, it displays individual interest and

concern. Most individuals will see when somebody is content, but it is doubtful about the

number of persons who will notice the absent feature of happiness. Observing the relevant

negative can make individuals feel that they are concerned about, soften emotional barriers, and

establish a genuine association amongst persons. Being able to notice the Pertinent Negative can

strengthen the relationship. When we notice what nonexistence of negativity, we can have a

greater appreciation for others (Dhurandhar et al., 2018). Our interactions benefit greatly when

we express this gratitude.

Various ways can be used to improve our relationship with others using a broader view of things.

It is essential to view it broadly to identify the missing aspect. Learning can be used to enhance

the expected behavior. Our expectation will be limited and may not be representative of

possibility scope within the situations (Krooks, Weatherall & Markowitz, 2018). Our ordinary

view is only correct comparative to the insufficient sample size. What we know is what we can
only expect. For instance, a child brought up by parents who have no affection with each other

does not realize this is normal until that child broadens his/her views to see how other people

behave so that he/she can become aware of what is missing. Our sample size is expanded when

we see relationships in a broader context because we get a more accurate idea of what is typical.

Pertinent Negative can be very useful to me as a manager in understanding employee behaviors

and actions. Noticing the missing aspect of the behaviors of an employee can be essential to

assist managers in understanding why employees act in a certain way and improve the success of

an organization (Burkus, 2016). At first glance, we may not notice the missing aspect of an

employee when they are doing their work as expected until they submit their two-week

resignation notice. Making an effort to notice the pertinent negative can assist managers in

identifying a lack of enthusiasm in employees. Many organizational improvements would be

necessitated when managers show their concerns with their subordinates because employees

would share their challenges with their managers.

My perspective can be broadened through Pertinent Negative by improving my ability to see

what is missing. I work in a small office, unlike any other in the organization. Therefore, I

always have little to compare to it whenever issues come up because I have no experience to

assist in providing the solution. Consequently, I have to ask others their observations to help me

see what is missing. I also take advantage of the open-door policy in our organization to seek

ideas from my manager, who offers a perspective that I had missed before. I am always missing

something. By soliciting from others, Pertinent Negative has played a significant part in

improving my attitudes, perceptions, and behaviors.

Conclusion
Pertinent Negative is an essential aspect of how we consider things in a 360-degree view. There

are many underlying issues we see that are surrounding a situation and our expectations on the

issue under normal circumstances when we look at the bigger picture. However, it is not possible

to determine what is normal until we make our observations or get opinions and views from

others who have experienced it.

 
References

Burkus, D. (2016, September 14). How to notice what you can’t see. Inc. Retrieved

from https://www.inc.com/david-burkus/how-to-notice-what-you-cant-see.html

Dhurandhar, A., Chen, P. Y., Luss, R., Tu, C. C., Ting, P., Shanmugam, K., & Das, P. (2018).

Explanations based on the missing: Towards contrastive explanations with pertinent negatives.

In Advances in Neural Information Processing Systems (pp. 592-603).

Krooks, J., Weatherall, A., & Markowitz, S. (2018). Complete resolution of Mycobacterium

marinum infection with clarithromycin and ethambutol: a case report and a review of the

literature. The Journal of clinical and aesthetic dermatology, 11(12), 48.