According to Paul Ekman, contempt is a universal emotion observed across cultures, often accompanied by other feelings such as annoyance or anger.

Contempt can be directed "upward," such as when a teenager feels contempt for their parents, or "downward," as when a superior looks down on a subordinate. Regardless of its direction, contempt can diminish the beholder's capacity for empathy toward the target of their disdain, often blinding them to the challenges or struggles the other person may be facing.

While contempt is similar to disgust, it differs in two key ways: contempt is specifically directed toward people, whereas disgust can be directed at people, objects, or ideas; and contempt involves a sense of superiority, which is not necessarily present when feeling disgust.