This negative association of complaining extends to the time of Aristotle and Kant who described the act of complaining as both effeminate and something that should never be done (as cited in Norlock Citation2018).


Complaining as Negative?

Definitions of complaining vary substantially across the literature. The most common type of complaint described is expressions of dissatisfaction by customers aimed at organisations – such as complaining to express dissatisfaction with a product or service using words and formal processes.

Definitions Across Literature

For the purpose of the study, the difference between complaining and complaint can be articulated as: all complaints are complaining, but not all complaining are complaints.


University of North Texas

The study applied recognition theory to data from interviews using creative methods (photos and art) with 11 pairs of people (6 women 5 men) with support workers about their reactions to negative feeelings.


Purpose of Study

Tomaszewski, P., Fisher, K. R., Robinson, S., & Ikäheimo, H. (2026). Rethinking how people with cognitive disability complain. Disability & Society, 41(2), 521–541. https://doi.org/10.1080/09687599.2025.2536586 



Rethinking how people with cognitive disability complain

Complaining vs. Complaints

 The theory states that social recognition is fundamental to human interactions and supports positive development and maintenance of self-identity (Robinson et al. Citation 2023). Honneth (Citation 1995) defines these modes of recognition as: (a) ‘love’ or care, which enables self-confidence; (b) ‘rights’, which enables self-respect; and (c) ‘solidarity’ or social esteem, which enables self-esteem.


Recognition Theory

The findings set up a conceptual understanding of complaining by people with cognitive disability. Understanding how people complain might make it easier for workers to notice and respond when people have a problem.


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