# what is the term for this behavior? (suicide by cop is one example) **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 7, 2011, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-term-for-this-behavior-suicide-by-cop-is-one-example/602198 "2011-11-07T20:09:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Critical1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3e96dc/32.png) [@Critical1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Critical1)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2011, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-term-for-this-behavior-suicide-by-cop-is-one-example/602198/1 "2011-11-07T20:09:20Z")
the title says most of the question, is there a term for the type of behavior where people take a course of action that is so extreme it forces a response from others? suicide by cop is the extreme example but a milder one would be someone who wants out of a relationship and instead of breaking up goes out and cheats on their S.O. in a way that they find out and break off the relationship themselves. ? ---
**Author:** ![Hypno-Toad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b2d939/32.png) [@Hypno-Toad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypno-Toad)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2011, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-term-for-this-behavior-suicide-by-cop-is-one-example/602198/2 "2011-11-07T20:35:02Z")
Provocative? After all, you’re trying to provoke a response. ---
**Author:** ![leahcim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b4bc9f/32.png) [@leahcim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leahcim)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2011, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-term-for-this-behavior-suicide-by-cop-is-one-example/602198/3 "2011-11-07T20:52:59Z")
I’d think the most minor end of this continuum is “passive aggression”. E.g. someone who wants out of a relationship and instead of breaking up, just acts like a dickhead to force their partner’s hand. ---
**Author:** ![coremelt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4491bb/32.png) [@coremelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coremelt)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2011, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-term-for-this-behavior-suicide-by-cop-is-one-example/602198/4 "2011-11-08T00:04:08Z")
“manipulative”. You don’t have the strength or honesty to achieve something yourself so you make someone believe something false to get them to do it for you. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2011, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-term-for-this-behavior-suicide-by-cop-is-one-example/602198/5 "2011-11-08T00:06:46Z")
> [@Hypno-Toad](#): > > Provocative? After all, you’re trying to provoke a response. Yes, I agree this is the best term. A similar term for internet behavior is “trolling”. ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2011, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-term-for-this-behavior-suicide-by-cop-is-one-example/602198/6 "2011-11-08T03:35:30Z")
Flaming out? ---
**Author:** ![Critical1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3e96dc/32.png) [@Critical1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Critical1)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2011, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-term-for-this-behavior-suicide-by-cop-is-one-example/602198/7 "2011-11-08T20:30:34Z")
I was hoping for a specific term but it looks like its one of those things that just falls under a broad category. thanks for the replies.