brittleness

This term describes a specific type of failure where a material snaps or shatters suddenly rather than bending or stretching. It conveys a sense of rigidity that is deceptive, as the object may seem strong until the exact moment it fails completely. When applied to human psychology, it suggests a fragile ego or a precarious emotional state. It implies that while a person may appear composed or hard, they lack the flexibility to adapt to stress and are prone to a total emotional collapse.