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Crab mentality, also known as crab theory,[1][2] crabs in a bucket[a] mentality, or the crab-bucket effect, is a mentality of which people will try to prevent others from gaining a favourable position in something, even if it has no effect on those trying to stop them. It is usually summarized with the phrase "If I can't have it, neither can you".[3]
The metaphor is derived from anecdotal claims about the behavior of crabs contained in a open bucket: if a crab starts to climb out,[4] it will be pulled back in by the others, ensuring the group's collective demise.[5][6][7]
The analogous theory in human behavior is that members of a group will attempt to reduce the self-confidence of any member who achieves success beyond others, out of envy, jealousy, resentment, spite, conspiracy, or competitive feelings, in order to halt their progress.[8][9][10][11]
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