Negativesusceptibility

Negativesusceptibility is a term used to describe a propensity to exhibit a negative response to a stimulus or perturbation, or to resist positive influences. In current usage, it is not a single established field term but appears in two broad domains with related ideas.

In physics and materials science, negative susceptibility typically refers to magnetic susceptibility χ < 0. When a material is placed in an external magnetic field H, it develops magnetization M. If χ = dM/dH is negative, the induced magnetization points opposite to the applied field. This diamagnetic behavior is observed in many substances (for example bismuth, graphite) and is distinct from paramagnetic or ferromagnetic responses. Dynamic or complex susceptibility can also be negative in some metamaterials or under certain frequency conditions, indicating phase relationships between M and H.

In psychology and social science, negative susceptibility describes a tendency to be affected by negative information, stimuli, or social influence. This can manifest as heightened sensitivity to negative feedback, vulnerability to negative emotions, or increased susceptibility to misinformation or manipulation. Researchers may measure it with scales assessing negativity bias, resilience, or susceptibility to influence.

Measurement and interpretation: In physics, susceptibility is a fundamental material property measured with magnetometers or calorimetric methods. In social science, it relies on surveys, behavioral experiments, and observational data. Because the term is not standard across disciplines, precise meaning depends on the context.

See also: magnetic susceptibility, diamagnetism, misinformation, resilience, social influence.