Psych Series #5: Anger & Aggression (Positive or Negative?)

Psych Series #5

What comes to mind when you hear the terms anger or angry? Do you picture a positive outcome or negative outcome to a situation that involves anger? Many people when faced with these questions may automatically focus on the negative aspects of the emotion anger. But, there is an upside to an angry emotional state. Hopefully this will help you identify the positives and negatives to anger & aggression.

Let's start out with some definitions!

Anger:

• "A strong emotion; a feeling that is oriented toward some real or supposed grievance"
• "Belligerence aroused by a real or supposed wrong"
• "A normal, healthy emotion that serves as a warning signal and alerts us to potential threat or trauma." (Townsend, 2003).

Aggression:

• "The act of initiating hostilities or invasion"
• "The practice or habit of launching attacks"
• "Hostile or destructive behavior or actions"
• "...a behavior intended to threaten or injure the victim's security or self-esteem." (Warren, 1990).
• Warren (1990) also states: "Whether the damage is caused by words, fists, or weapons, the behavior is virtually always designed to punish. It is frequently accompanied by bitterness, meanness, and ridicule."

According to Townsend (2003), anger becomes a problem when it is not expressed and when it is expressed aggressively. (p.245) Violence results when a person loses control of his/her anger. So, how does one determine if they are expressing anger in a positive or negative way?

Predisposing factors to anger/aggression:

• Modeling: Children learn how to express anger by modeling the expressions of parents, primary caregivers, or significant others.

• Operant Conditioning: Reinforcement of a specific behavior. This can be through positive or negative reinforcement. Positive reinforcement produces a pleasurable or desired result. Negative reinforcement prevents an undesirable result from occurring.
  

• Neurophysiological Disorders: Traumatic brain injuries, brain tumors, and diseases like encephalitis have been predisposing factors to aggression and violent behaviors.

• Biochemical Factors: Hormonal dysfunction in endocrine disorders such as Cushing's disease or hyperthyroidism have been associated with increased violent tendencies.
  

• Socioeconomic Factors: Impoverished populations may have a higher rate of violence related to lack of resources, broken family relationships, alienation, discrimination, and frustrations.
  

• Environmental Factors: Increased temperatures, physical crowding (overcrowding), and drug & alcohol use/abuse have also been implicated in contributing to aggressive behavior patterns.

Signs & Symptoms - How will someone appear or act when in an angry or aggressive state?

Anger

• Intense distress
• Frowning
• Pacing
• Clenched fists
• Fatigue
• Withdrawal
• Increased energy
• Emotional overcontrol
• Change in tone of voice (yelling, shouting, lowered tone spoken through clenched teeth)

Aggression

• Sarcasm
• Verbal or physical threats
• Change in tone of voice (raised/quavering tone, pitch, rapid/hesitant speech)
• Degrading comments
• Pacing
• Invasion of personal space
• Increased agitation or irritability
• Misinterpretation of stimuli
• Anger disproportionate to an event
• Throwing or striking objects or people

So, for all of you "negative Nancys" out there...how is anger used in a negative way?

• Can result in impulsive behavior (without thinking about negative consequences to actions)
• Conflict may escalate and the problem initially creating the conflict goes unresolved.
• A coping response of displaced anger may lead to aggression.
• May create exaggerated feelings of control & the individual may try to use that "power" to intimidate others.
• May mask true feelings, weakness, self-esteem leading to hostility and rage.

What about all the "positive Petes" out there...how can anger be a positive emotion?

• Can energize & mobilize body for self-defense purposes. (Fight or Flight Response)
  
• In an assertive way, can promote conflict resolution.
• Signals threat or injustice against the "self" and elicits coping responses to help deal with the distress.
• Assists with providing feelings of control in a situation & helps an individual assertively take charge of a situation.
• Can create positive outcomes when expressed assertively, increasing self-esteem and leading to mutual understanding and forgiveness.

So the next time you are faced with anger, whether your own or someone else's, ask yourself "is this positive or negative?" Is it a healthy response to a perceived threat or is it a destructive, ineffective coping mechanism? A little patience and understanding go a long way in a negative situation. And keep in mind that you can catch more bees with honey that you can with vinegar!

Here's to healthy, happy and positively angry people everywhere!