Anger and aggression

• Anger and aggression

• Anger is an immediate response that arises when we feel threatened
or mistreated. Threats can come in many forms and are not just
physical (such as being assaulted) but also include financial threats
such as losing your job. Feelings of jealousy, guilt and embarrassment
can also be behind anger.
• Anger is a natural response that everyone experiences, however
when it gives rise to aggression it becomes a problem. Shouting and
physical violence are ways we release anger that may cause problems
with family, friends and work colleagues.
• Symptoms of anger and aggression
• We may respond to anger in physical and psychological ways such as
those listed below:
• Anger – physical responses: increased heart rate and blood pressure,
sweating, muscle tension, clenched jaw
• Anger – psychological responses: feelings of frustration, feelings of
rejection, feelings of mistreatment, hostility towards some people
• Aggression: shouting at people (e.g. family, colleagues, strangers,
physical violence (e.g. hitting, punching people or slamming doors),
ignoring or socially excluding others (passive aggression)
• Causes of anger and aggression
• Evolution: Our early ancestors would have experienced a great deal of threat in their
lives and their inbuilt response (known as the 'fight or flight response') helped keep them
safe and alive. This same inbuilt human response causes the feelings of anger we
experience when we feel under threat today.
• Society: Men can feel under peer pressure to 'man-up', particularly in male-dominated
environments.
• Childhood: People may be more prone to anger problems if they experienced abuse as a
child. This is thought to be because they are permanently on 'high alert' as a result of
their past and may react to perceived threats in a way considered excessive by others. In
addition, if you had an aggressive role model as a child you are more likely to react to
anger in the same way.
• Specific events: Job loss often triggers anger because it threatens financial security.
Similarly, any other situations which are interpreted as containing some form of threat or
injustice may be result in aggressive outbursts.
• Dealing with anger and aggression at home
• Identify triggers – Look out for situations that may trigger aggression, then try to work out the best way to deal with these
situations in the future. Visualise yourself in the situation resolving the problem in this new way so you are better prepared to deal
with situations when they arise.
• Take a step back – Remove yourself from the situation to cool off before returning. Use this cooling off time to assess the
situation, work out why you are angry and think about how you could deal with the problem without becoming aggressive. Telling
someone how you feel "you are making me angry because" can have very positive outcomes as the person you are telling may
change their future behaviour.
• Exercise – Exercise is a great way to let off steam so try to exercise 2 or 3 times a week to release any pent-up anger, it gets your
heart racing and will leave you feeling much more relaxed afterwards.
• Talk to people – Talking is a very good way of letting out frustrations that may be building up inside. In addition, friends or family
may have suggestions for dealing with situations.
• Get enough sleep – When we're tired, we're more likely to become frustrated, misinterpret situations, and lose our temper.
Getting the recommended amount of sleep each night can help alleviate anger and aggression.
• Prioritise – Anger and aggression often arise when people become stressed and worn down due to taking too much on. Keep on
doing the most important things but let some of the less important things go so you have more time for exercise, relaxation, family
and friends.
• Practise relaxation – Practise breathing and relaxation techniques daily.
• TYPES OF AGGRESSION
• Aggression can be defined in multiple ways, and research in various fields often describes
differing types of aggression, but four general types of aggressive behavior are as follows:
• Accidental aggression is not intentional and may be the result of carelessness. This form of
aggression is often seen in children at play and can also occur when a person is in a hurry. For
example, a person running to catch a bus may run into someone, or knock over a child.
• Expressive aggression is an act of aggression that is intentional but not meant to cause harm. A
child who throw toys or kicks sand is demonstrating expressive aggression: Though the behavior
could be frustrating to another person or cause harm, causing harm is not the purpose of the
behavior.
• Hostile aggression is meant to cause physical or psychological pain. Bullying and malicious
gossiping or rumor-spreading are forms of hostile aggression. Reactive aggression, or an
aggressive action as a result of provocation, is also a form of hostile aggression.
• Instrumental aggression can result from conflict over objects or what are assumed to be one's
rights. For example, a student who wished to sit at a desk that was taken by another student may
retaliate by knocking the other student's belongings from the top of the desk.
• Anger/Aggression Management slideshare | PPT
• INTRODUCTION - Violence and Aggression - NCBI Bookshelf (nih.gov)