Anger
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Anger is a (physiological and psychological) response to a perceived threat to self or important others, present, past, or future. The threat may appear to be real or imagined. Anger is often a response to the perception of threat due to a physical conflict, injustice, negligence, humiliation or betrayal among other contentions.
The expression of anger can be through active or passive behaviors. In the case of "active" emotion the angry person "lashes out" verbally or physically at an intended target. When anger is a "passive" emotion it is charactererized by silent sulking, passive-aggressive behavior (hostility) and tension.
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[edit] Prognosis of anger
Humans often exhibit anger behaviors empathically: for example, after reading an article about a minority experiencing racism. We are not the victim, per se.
Anger is usually magnified and extended in time when a cognitive decision is made about the intent of the individual (or organization or object) attributed to causing the pain. In other words, if we decide the pain/deprivation was intentional, "deliberate," the emotion is usually more intense.
[edit] Predisposition
Common factors that can predispose one to anger include fatigue, hunger, pain, sexual frustration, recovery from an illness, or the use of certain drugs; hormonal changes associated with PMS, birth, and menopause, physical withdrawal, bipolar disorder. Research suggests some individuals may be genetically predisposed to higher levels of anger. However, generational behaviors relative to primary care givers' responses to anger actually have a much larger influence in "predisposition" to anger.
[edit] Intensity of anger
Many words in the English vocabulary describe various forms of anger that differ primarily by their intensity of passion and arousal, or content of alcohol in a subjects blood. Here is a partial list, arranged in approximate order from the least to the most intense: annoyance, miffed, irritation, frustration, sulking, exasperation, offended, indignation, incensed, pissed-off, outrage, ire, livid, rage, fury, ferocity, wrath, and acrimony.[1]
[edit] Physiological effects of anger
Emotions more or less begin inside two almond-shaped structures in the brain which are called the amygdala[1]. The amygdala is the part of the brain responsible for identifying threats, and for sending out an alarm when threats are identified. The amygdala is so efficient at warning us about threats, that it gets us reacting before the cortex (the part of the brain responsible for thought and judgment) is able to check on the reasonableness of the reaction. In other words, the brain is networked in such a way as to influence the action before its consequences are logically considered.
As one becomes angry the body's muscles tense up. Inside the brain, neurotransmitter chemicals known as catecholamines are released causing an experience of a burst of energy lasting up to several minutes. At the same time the heart beat increases, the blood pressure rises, and so does the rate of breathing. The face may flush as increased blood flow enters the limbs and extremities in preparation for physical action. In quick succession, additional brain neurotransmitters and hormones, adrenaline and noradrenaline are released which trigger a lasting state of arousal.
But, most often the emotions to rage are stopped before getting out of control. The prefrontal cortex of the brain keeps the emotions in proportion. If the amygdala handles emotion, the prefrontal cortex handles judgment. The left prefrontal cortex can switch off the emotions. It serves in an executive role to keep things under control. Getting control of the emotion of anger means learning ways to help the prefrontal cortex get the upper hand over the amygdala so that the angry person has control over the reactions to anger feelings.
If anger has a physiological preparation phase during which the body resources are mobilized for a fight, it also has a wind-down phase as well. The body starts to relax back towards its resting state when the target of the anger is no longer accessible or an immediate threat. It is difficult to relax from an angry state very quickly. The adrenaline-caused arousal that occurs during anger lasts a very long time (many hours, sometimes days), and lowers the anger threshold, making it easier for the person to get angry again later on. It takes a rather long time for the body to return to the resting state. During this slow cool-down period the angered person is more susceptible to anger in response to even minor irritations.
[edit] Symptoms of anger
Heightened blood pressure; Increase of stress hormones; Shortness of breath; Heart palpitations; Trembling; Heightened senses; Dulled senses; Yelling; Animated and exaggerated body movement; Stiffness of posture; Constipation; Contracted pupils; Increased physical strength; Speech and motion are faster and more intense; Tense muscles; Impotence; Criticism; Irritation; Hatred; Silence; Passive Aggressive Behavior; Resentment-Bitterness; Envy; Jealousy; Insecurity; Low self-esteem; Self-loathing; Judgmentalism; Condemning; Malaise; Depression; Anxiety; Apathy; Sleeplessness
[edit] Genetic predisposition
At the end of the 19th century, Sigmund Freud, the father of psychoanalysis, argued that individuals are born with an innate loving instinct, however anger and hostility arise when the individuals need for love is unmet, frustrated or hindered. A century later, this view was deprecated by the American Psychological Association and the American Anthropological Association, who in 1988 reviewed the available research and concluded that people are not genetically predisposed to violence, and that violence cannot be scientifically related to natural evolutionary processes. At the beginning of the 21st century, the consensus is reversing again, as recent research[2] and [3], conducted with the benefit of the fully-mapped human genome, has begun to pinpoint specific genes that increase the risk of socially harmful behavior such as aggressiveness, anti-social behavior, suicide, drug abuse, etc.
[edit] Religious perspectives on anger
- Amongst adherents of Christianity causeless, excessive, or protracted anger is treated as sinful due to its treatment in the Antithesis of the Law and in Colossians 3:8, and unbridled wrath is one of the Seven Deadly Sins. The Bible warns "do not let the sun go down on your anger" (Ephesians 4:26), that is, do not let feelings of anger last so long as to become sinful. Actually, Ephesian 4:26 means don't let anger continue on to the next day. Deal with it now, don't put off dealing with your anger. There is, however, what is commonly referred to as "righteous anger," as demonstrated by Jesus when he made a whip and cleared out the merchants in the Temple (Gospel of John 2:13-16). In Romans 1:18, the sin of man also provokes the wrath of God, who not only punishes sinners, but also provides a way for them to appease His Wrath.
- In Islam, anger is seen as a sign of weakness. Muhammad said, "The strong is not the one who overcomes the people by his strength, But the strong is the one who controls himself while in anger." and "The best of you are those who are slow to anger and swift to cool down...Beware of anger, for it is a live coal on the heart of the descendants of Adam."
- Anger in Buddhism is defined here as: "being unable to bear the object, or the intention to cause harm to the object". Anger is seen as aversion with a stronger exaggeration, and is listed as one of the five hindrances. It is a common misconception that spiritual saints never get angry. This is not true: even the Dalai Lama, the spiritual Guru of Tibetan monks, gets angry[4]. However, there is a difference; most often a spiritual person is aware of the emotion and the way it can be handled. Thus, in response to the question: "Is any anger acceptable in Buddhism?' the Dalai Lama answered:
"Buddhism in general teaches that anger is a destructive emotion and although anger might have some positive effects in terms of survival or moral outrage, I do not accept that anger of any kind as a virtuous emotion nor aggression as constructive behavior. The Gautam Buddha has taught that there are three basic kleshas at the root of samsara (bondage, illusion) and the vicious cycle of rebirth. These are greed, hatred, and delusion--also translatable as attachment, anger, and ignorance. They bring us confusion and misery rather than peace, happiness, and fulfillment. It is in our own self-interest to purify and transform them" [5].
- In Hinduism, anger is equated with sorrow as a form of unrequited desire. The objects of anger are perceived as a hindrance to the gratification of the desires of the angry person.[6] Alternatively if he thinks they are superior, the result is grief. Anger is considered to be packed with more evil power than even desire.
[edit] Dealing with anger
There are various strategies for dealing with anger. Some address individual episodes of anger, and others address an on-going tendency toward anger.
Dealing with each instance of anger represents a choice. The basic alternatives are: [2]
- Respond with hostile action, including overt violence,
- Respond with hostile inaction, such as withdrawing or stonewalling,
- Initiate a dominance contest,
- Harbor resentment,
- Work to better understand and constructively resolve the issue.
Other strategies address on-going tendencies toward anger.
In the 1960s and 1970s, theories about dealing with anger were based upon expressing the feelings in some way. This ranged from pillow hitting strategies to radical and extreme therapies such as scream therapy. Scream therapy is a therapy where patients stand in a room and simply scream for hours on end. However, these techniques actually do nothing to prevent anger from taking hold. Research into scream therapy actually showed that patients suffer from increased anger problems.[citation needed] This is understandable since modern research into neuroplasticity shows that the more we exercise a brain area - the areas involved with anger in this example - the more efficient that area becomes.[citation needed]
Modern therapies for anger involve restructuring thoughts and beliefs in order to bring about a causal reduction in anger. This therapy often comes within the schools of CBT (or cognitive behavioural therapy) or other modern schools such as REBT (or rational emotional behavioural therapy). Research shows that people who suffer from excessive anger often harbor irrational thoughts and beliefs - biased towards negativity. It has been shown that with therapy by a trained professional, individuals can bring their anger to manageable levels.[3]
Spiritual therapies for anger involve a person's realization that their perceptions of themselves and of others are in error. Then to instill the correct perceptions through meditation or prayer; replacing harmful human attributes with virtuous ones. And finally developing spiritual compassion and kindness for all individuals.
[edit] In Popular Culture
Anger Management depicts the unconventional therapy of a man who unconstructively deals with his anger by harboring resentment.
[edit] Notes
- ^ Emotional Competency Entry describing Anger
- ^ Emotional Competency Entry describing paths of anger
- ^ {{ (1998) "[http://www.acu.edu/img/assets/6655/Cognitive-Behavioral%20in%20the%20Treatment%20of%20Anger%20(A%20Meta-analysis).pdf Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy in the Treatment of Anger: A Meta-Analysis]". Cognitive Therapy and Research 22 (1): 63-74. Retrieved on February 5, 2007.
[edit] See also
- Anger is a Welsh alternate spelling for the name Eluned, who is a Roman Catholic Saint
- Anger management
- Hate
- Hostility
- Rage
