Anger is a natural response to certain threats. As a result, aggression is sometimes the appropriate response to anger, as it allows us to defend ourselves. Therefore, a certain amount of anger is necessary. In addition, anger can be useful in expressing how we feel to others. However, we cannot get angry with everyone and everything we encounter. As a result, we must learn to express our anger appropriately.[4] There are three main approaches to expressing anger -- expression, suppression, and calming. Expression involves conveying your feelings in an assertive, but not aggressive, manner. This is the best way to handle your anger. However, you must make sure that you are respectful of others and are not being overly demanding or pushy, as this will likely only produce aggression in return. Anger can also be repressed and redirected. Essentially, you want to stop thinking about the source of your anger and focus on something else that can be approached constructively. However, you must be careful when repressing angry feelings. Repressing anger with no constructive outlet can be dangerous and damaging, both physically and mentally. On the other hand, the old idea that you should simply "vent" or "let it all out" is discouraged by conflict experts, who claim that doing so is actually counterproductive, "an exercise in rehearsing the very attributions that arouse anger in the first place."[5] Finally, one can respond to anger by focusing on calming down -- controlling your external and internal responses (heart rate, blood pressure, etc.) to anger. Take deep breaths and relax. Several of these techniques are covered later in this article. Social Rage[6] The same issues that can arouse anger in individuals can also arouse anger in large groups. This concept of social rage, or social anger, is an important one for understanding conflict. Social rage is similar to personal rage, but it is generated by social issues and expressed by social groups. Examples of social rage are abundant: anger at immigrants over unemployment, hate crimes, homophobia, etc. Many of the factors at play in personal rage are also important in social rage, including humiliation and a sense of violation of expectations. When Is Anger Good? Anger can serve very positive functions when expressed properly. Studies continue to show that anger can have beneficial effects on individuals' health, their relationships and their work. Socially, very positive changes can come from anger -- for instance, the civil rights movement of the 1960s or the women's suffrage movement in the early 20th century. On an individual level, scientists have shown angry episodes actually strengthen personal relationships more than half of the time. Social scientists agree that anger can be beneficial when it is expressed constructively. One way to ensure this is through the use of feedback loops. Constructive anger expression involves both parties, not just the angry person. Ideally, the angry person expresses his or her anger and the target has a chance to respond. Oftentimes, simple expression helps to ease the situation, particularly if the anger is justified. Remember that this is not simply an opportunity for someone to "vent." It must be approached with the attitude of solving a problem. Dealing with Anger/Anger Management As discussed, anger is not necessarily bad. Anger becomes problematic when it is expressed in improper or damaging ways. However, there are many things that can be done to help promote the constructive use of angry feelings. What Individuals Can Do: The first step in dealing with anger is to become aware of it. Learn how anger affects you, how you deal with it, and what triggers it in you. There are many ways to handle anger once you learn to recognize it and catch it early on. The American Psychological Association suggests the following:[7] Relaxation -- As simple as it sounds, basic relaxation exercises can be powerful tools in overcoming one's anger. Among these simple techniques are deep breathing; slowly repeating a relaxing phrase, such as "relax" or "take it easy"; using peaceful imagery to imagine a relaxing situation; and relaxing exercise, like yoga or tai-chi. Cognitive Restructuring -- Cognitive restructuring is basically changing the way you think about things. This involves thinking more positively about a situation; avoiding terms like "always" and "never," which can be used to justify your anger; using logic on yourself to prevent irrational behavior; and learning to change your approach -- requesting rather than demanding, for example. Problem Solving -- Not all anger is inappropriate. When there is a very real root to your anger, approaching the situation from the perspective of a problem solver can help to diffuse your strong feelings. Make a plan for how you can fix the situation and approach it with good intentions. Better Communication -- Angry people tend to jump to conclusions and overreact. By slowing down and thinking about what you say, this problem can be avoided. Also, make sure you understand what other people are saying before responding to them. Listen to the reasons for others' anger and try not to be overly critical. Listening is as important to communication as speaking is. Using Humor -- By refusing to take yourself too seriously, you can defuse your anger. Try using humorous imagery to lighten your mood or to make fun of yourself. However, you should avoid using sarcastic and harsh humor, which is simply another expression of anger. You should also avoid simply "laughing off" your problems, which ignores the issue at hand. Instead use humor to approach the problem more constructively. Change Your Environment -- Oftentimes our environment contributes to our anger by causing irritation and fury. Make a point to take a break. Schedule personal time. When stress becomes too intense, simply get away for 15 minutes to regroup and refresh. What Officials Can Do: As with fear, political leaders can use anger as a tool to gain political support. Leaders can either aggravate or alleviate anger in large groups of people. As a result, leaders must recognize the consequences of their actions and aim to use tools to lessen anger and be very leery of playing off of the anger of their constituents for political gain (see fear essay). What Third Parties Can Do: Mediators and third parties can also play a role in alleviating anger. The most important way in which third parties can assist those dealing with anger is through education. Counselors can teach individuals how to locate the source of their anger, and then overcome it. However, it is important that these counselors understand the sources of anger themselves. Third parties can also help individuals (and particularly children) cope with angry feelings by creating a safe environment, by modeling appropriate behavior, and by encouraging others to talk about their anger in a constructive manner. Mediators working with adults can use empathic listening with each party separately to try to help them deal with their anger and rephrase or reframe their issues and concerns in a constructive way when they are together with the other party. In addition, all of the steps discussed above ("what individuals can do") can be encouraged and facilitated by third parties.
[1] Controlling Anger -- Before It Controls You (http://www.apa.org/pubinfo/anger.html) [2] Anatomy of Anger, by Oliver Ross (http://www.mediate.com/articles/oliverR.cfm) [3] Controlling Anger -- Before It Controls You. [4] Ibid. [5] Allred, Keith G. Anger and Retaliation in Conflict: The Role of Attribution [6] Berry, Bonnie. Social Rage: Emotional and Cultural Conflict (New York: Garland Publishing, 1999), 8. [7] Controlling Anger -- Before It Controls You.
Use the following to cite this article:
Barker, Phil. "Anger." Beyond Intractability. Eds. Guy Burgess and Heidi Burgess. Conflict Research Consortium, University of Colorado, Boulder. Posted: September 2003 <http://www.beyondintractability.org/essay/anger/>.
Sources of Additional, In-depth Information on this Topic Additional Explanations of the Underlying Concepts: Online (Web) Sources Glaser, Tanya. "Dealing with an Angry Public: The Mutual Gains Approach to Resolving Disputes--Summary." University of Colorado: Conflict Research Consortium, University of Colorado: Conflict Research Consortium, 1998.
Available at: http://www.beyondintractability.org/booksummary/10563/.
This page offers a summary of the book, Dealing with an Angry Public, by Lawrence Susskind and Patrick Field. Susskind and Field warn that an angry, suspicious public will undermine American competitiveness in the global marketplace, and will undermine confidence in basic social institutions. The authors develop a mutual-gains approach to dealing with the public, which views public relations as a kind of multiparty, multi-issue negotiation, and so follows the basic principles for effective negotiations.
"Controlling Anger--Before It Controls You." , 1900
Available at: http://www.apa.org/pubinfo/anger.html.
This brochure, published by the American Psychological Association (APA), is meant to help the people understand and control their anger. The sections include: What is Anger?; Anger Management; Strategies to Keep Anger at Bay?; and Do You Need counseling?.
Marion, Marian. "Helping Young Children Deal with Anger." , 1997
Available at: http://www.ericdigests.org/1998-2/anger.htm.
Children's anger presents challenges to teachers committed to constructive, ethical, and effective child guidance. This Digest explores what we know about the components of children's anger, factors contributing to understanding and managing anger, and the ways teachers can guide children's expressions of anger.
Inflammatory Statements.
Available at: http://www.colorado.edu/conflict/peace/problem/inflame.htm.
Sometimes communication can make matters worse rather than better. When communication is threatening, hostile, or inflammatory it can do more to escalate a conflict than it can to defuse it.
Bell, Bryan. Lessons in Lifemanship: Anger as Control. Bryan Bell, 1900.
Available at: http://bbll.com/ch13.html.
This online book gives advice on how to improve personal and family relationships by using a number of techniques such as active listening, forgiveness, anger control, and mediation. It also covers how to improve workplace relationships using negotiation and problem solving techniques.
Ross, Oliver. "The Anatomy of Anger." , 2002
Available at: http://www.mediate.com/articles/oliverR.cfm.
Oliver Ross discusses the role of expectations in the development of anger. When our standards (or expectations) or good and bad or right and wrong are not met, we feel out of control, and resort to anger. Ross shows how to recognize and control these impulses by looking at our own issues rather than blaming others.
DeAngelis, Tori. "When Anger's a Plus." , 1900
Available at: http://www.apa.org/monitor/mar03/whenanger.html.
The constructive aspects of anger are examined in this article by the APA, including the concept of a positive feedback loop.
Offline (Print) Sources Susskind, Lawrence and Patrick Field. Dealing With An Angry Public: The Mutual Gains Approach To Resolving Disputes. New York: Free Press, January 1, 1996.
This practical book by Lawrence Susskind and Patrick Field analyzes scores of both private and public-sector cases, as well as crisis scenarios such as the Alaskan oil spill, the silicone breast implant controversy, and nuclear plant malfunction at Three Mile Island. All of these cases affected large groups of people who were extremely upset with the problems. The authors show how to manage the anger of the public sector and overcome resistance to both public and private initiatives through a mutual gains (integrative) approach, involving face-to-face negotiation. Click here for more info.
Allred, Keith G. "Anger and Retaliation in Conflict: The Role of Attribution." In The Handbook of Conflict Resolution: Theory and Practice. Edited by Deutsch, Morton and Peter T. Coleman, eds. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2000.
Allred looks at the role of attribution in the conflict/anger cycle, pointing out that the way in which we see others affects our tendency to feel anger. By understanding the process of attribution (or what intentions and feelings we attribute to others) we can take steps towards overcoming our anger.
Adler, Robert S., Benson Rosen and Elliot M. Silverstein. "Emotions in Negotiation: How to Manage Fear and Anger." Negotiation Journal 14:2, April 1998.
"When emotions run amok, negotiators lose perspective and make serious mistakes or perform poorly. The authors describe emotions, explore their origins, detail their physiology, demonstrate their key role in human behavior (particularly in negotiation), and propose a series of recommendations for dealing with fear and anger, two critical emotions in negotiations." -Negotiation Journal Click here for more info.
Grillo, Trina. "Respecting the Struggle: Following the Parties' Lead ." 13:4, 1996.
The author explores the elements of transformative practice in the context of divorce mediation. She argues that mediators should take a reactive rather than directive stance. Grillo, however, locates the defining characteristic of transformative mediation in the mediator's "respect for the parties and...attitude of genuine inquiry." Click here for more info.
Retzinger, Suzanne M. Shame and Rage in Marital Quarrels. Newbury Park, CA: SAGE Publications, 1991.
As indicated by the title, Retzinger focuses on anger and shame in marriage. In particular, she emphasizes the way in which shame and anger interrelate when married couples fight.
Amodeo, John and Kris Wentworth. "Working with Anger." In Bridges Not Walls. Edited by Stewart, John, ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1995.
The authors point out that anger itself is neutral (not necessarily bad or negative). In fact, anger can be beneficial to communication and growth. However, anger must be expressed in constructive rather than destructive ways. Click here for more info.
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Examples Illustrating this Topic: Offline (Print) Sources Berry, Bonnie. Social Rage: Emotional and Cultural Conflict. New York: Garland Publishing, 1999.
Berry examines the concept of social rage, or the way in which anger at an individual level gets translated into group anger. The introductory chapter is particularly helpful in understanding how social rage is formed, expressed, and handled.
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Audiovisual Materials on this Topic: Offline (Print) Sources Blacks and Jews . Directed and/or Produced by: Snitow, Alan and Deborah Kaufman. California Newsreel. 1997.
This film begins by examining the anger and mistrust that has grown between Blacks and Jews in the US. It continues by showing how dialogue and cooperation can be used to build trust, and thus, narrow the divide between these two groups of people. Click here for more info.
Shadows in the Sun . Directed and/or Produced by: Rijavec, Frank. First Run Icarus Films. 1995.
This film follows a group of Japanese people into Papua New Guinea, were they feel anger about their nation's and their fathers' past actions associated with WWII. Click here for more info.
War and Peace in Ireland . Directed and/or Produced by: MacCaig, Arthur. First Run Icarus Films. 1998.
By focusing on Northern Ireland's civil rights movement as it transformed into civil war, this film helps show the viewer how issues of rights gave way to issues of defense, anger, and vengeance. Click here for more info.
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