The Four Basic Styles of Communication 1. PASSIVE COMMUNICATION is a style in which individuals have developed a pattern of avoiding expressing their opinions or feelings, protecting their rights, and identifying and meeting their needs. As a result, passive individuals do not respond overtly to hurtful or anger-inducing situations. Instead, they allow grievances and annoyances to mount, usually unaware of the buildup. But once they have reached their high tolerance threshold for unacceptable behavior, they are prone to explosive outbursts, which are usually out of proportion to the triggering incident. After the outburst, however, they may feel shame, guilt, and confusion, so they return to being passive. Passive communicators will often: fail to assert for themselves allow others to deliberately or inadvertently infringe on their rights fail to express their feelings, needs, or opinions tend to speak softly or apologetically exhibit poor eye contact and slumped body p...