EMOTIONS

Emotions

Emotions

Introduction

Anger is generally described as an emotional state that is aroused as a result of unjust treatment or blocked goals. Expressions of anger can signal that the expresser is feeling hostile and might act unpleasantly. This suggests that expressing anger might very well decrease liking for the expresser. However, expressions of anger also can convey the needs and vulnerabilities of the expresser (Clark & Brissette, 2003; Clark & Finkel, 2005; Ekman, 2003; Keltner, Ekman, Gonzaga, & Beer, 2003) and the expresser's desire for sympathy, support, and help in remediating the situation.

This suggests that expressing anger might not decrease liking and that it, like sadness or nervousness, may elicit sympathy and support (Clark et al., 1987; Graham, Huang, Clark, & Helgeson, 2008). Existing literature on the interpersonal consequences of expressing anger has focused mainly on how individuals make attributions about others who have expressed anger. People expressing anger, both verbally and nonverbally, have been rated as being threatening, unsocial, arrogant, and calculating (Knutson, 1996; Tiedens, 2001). They are perceived as tough, strong, competent, and powerful. In negotiations, people tend to be easier on and give in more to a negotiator expressing anger than a negotiator expressing happiness (Sinaceur & Tiedens, 2004; van Kleef, Dreu, & Manstead, 2004).

Thesis Statement

Anger management

Discussion and Analysis

Impact of Anger on Relationships

Anger tends to be followed by judgments that are congruent with the emotional state; a state of chronic anger may lead individuals to see dangers and risks in the social world that others do not see. Anger can critically affect the any relationship; whether it is parental, marital or any other, it shatters the satisfaction and ultimately tears down the relationship (Clark et al., 1987).

A chronically angry person lacks trust in others, and may even attribute hostile motives to strangers. This scenario is commonly seen in marital relationships; where a partner is a victim of mistrust. Such relationships don't last long and ultimately end up in the court of law. It follows that such persons will tend to view aggression as appropriate or justifiable in a relatively broad range of circumstances.

An angry person may jump to conclusions by readily assign blame to others. He assumes hostile intent and other negative characteristics; and believes that an aggressive response is therefore justified. Furthermore, an angry person tends to see the world as a relatively dangerous place; he may believe that aggressive responses are necessary or prudent to avoid harm or exploitation. Such behavior can lead him towards social deprivation; he loses his friends, affection of his family and any other relationship he is currently engaged in.

How Anger Harms an Individual

There are two ways in which the emotion of anger can harm an individual; verbal and physical aggression. Verbal aggression can be defined as an individual's attack on another individual's self-concept. Such attack is intended to cause psychological pain, can include teasing, ridicule, swearing and criticism of individual's appearance or personality (Sinaceur & Tiedens, 2004). It has been realized that verbal aggression is originated from the feelings of contempt ...