Anger Flashcards
(48 cards)
Anger is a ‘basic’, ‘primordial’ emotion. What 2 points of evidence stand by this?
It is arguably the first identifiable negative emotion to develop in babies. And animals also experience anger (with neurological and behavioural overlap to how humans experience anger).
Babies experience anger, at what ages to we see changes in the development of anger?
We first see anger at about 4 months, then the anger is directed at someone (through eye contact) at about 7 months.
In the 1986 large-scale telephone study, what were participants asked and what were the results?
Participants were asked to recall a recent situation that ‘evoked a very strong feeling’. Anger (17%) was the most frequently reported negative emotion, well ahead of sadness (12%) and fear (2%).
In 2004 the telephone study was replicated in Switzerland with almost 3000 participants. What was the question asked this time and what were the results?
Participants were asked to report on an event that had provoked an emotion the day before, ‘even if your emotional reaction was weak’. Anger was the most frequently reported negative emotion (12.5%).
The results of the telephone studies indicate what?
That anger is probably the most commonly occurring negative emotion in adults.
In the telephone study, the fact that anger was recalled the most indicates what about the emotion?
That anger is very salient. People feel it deeply and can hold onto perceived past wrongs against them.
Emotions aren’t always experienced in isolation and sometimes are blended together. In the telephone study, what did results indicate about emotional blends?
That anger/sadness is the most common emotional blend.
Anger is a normal, primal emotion. How do we know what it is a clinical issue?
Because in a 6-month period, 8% of the normal population reported that anger had been a problem for them for 6 months or more (2004).
Compare that to depression that has a LIFETIME prevalence of 10%.
What is the evidence that people seek mental health services for anger problems?
A 2002 study found that:
- 1/2 of 1300 psychiatric outpatients reported experiencing moderate to severe levels of subjective anger.
- 1/4 had displayed ‘behavioural aggression’ and ‘extreme levels of anger’ in the past week.
Why is aggression a good indicator of subjective levels of anger within a person?
Because you can’t have aggression without anger.
What are some behavioural consequences of anger?
- aggression.
- domestic violence.
- assault.
- murder.
- rape.
What are some health consequences of anger?
Similar to anxiety, the sympathetic system gets activated when a person is angry. However, the parasympathetic system is MUCH LESS active in anger than anxiety. People stay tense, gives them hypertension and puts pressure on their heart.
What are some cognitive consequences of anger?
Anger interferes with judgment, problem-solving & negotiating.. can lead to risky behaviours.
Anger is associated with risky behaviours… what is on of the most dangerous behaviours in particular and what are the results of this behaviour?
Risky driving.
It is estimated that 1/3 of crashes and 2/3 of traffic-related deaths are attributable to angry-aggressive driving.
What is the neuroticism-partner effect? And how does it relate to anger?
It has been found that people who have ‘neurotic’ partners (higher in negative emotions) are less satisfied in the relationship. However, it has been found that anger is the trait responsible for this effect. If the person is depressed or anxious, it is not as bad.
In terms of relationships and lifestyle, what impact does high levels of anger have?
Higher rates of divorce, more likely to be unmarried, unemployed and receive less support from family members and less trust in close relationships.
What are the comorbid rates of other disorders in people who have high levels of trait-anger?
Angry adults present with comorbid:
- Drug and alcohol issues (50%).
- Anxiety (30%).
- Depression (15%).
- Bipolar (5%).
In terms of the comorbid disorders in angry adults, what needs to be considered in terms of their correlation?
Causality. What is causing what? Is the anger causing them to drink, or is the alcohol causing them to be angry?
Is the anger causing them to be isolated, which leads to depression? Or vice versa?
How is anger represented in the DSM-5?
It is everywhere and nowhere. Meaning it is very transdiagnostic and shows up in lots of the disorders, but there is no specific place for anger, or chapter.
Which adult disorders is anger listed as a ‘possible’ symptom? (And why ‘possible’?)
- Mania (in BD).
- Major Depressive Disorder.
- Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder.
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.
- Generalised Anxiety Disorder.
It is a ‘possible’ symptom because these disorders can present WITHOUT anger (not necessary criteria).
The ‘Borderline’, ‘Antisocial’ and ‘Paranoid’ dimensions of personality disorders feature most frequently in angry samples (along with Narcissistic PD). How is anger described in these disorders?
- Borderline: ‘inappropriate, intense anger’.
- Antisocial: ‘irritability and aggressiveness’.
- Paranoid: ‘grudges’ and ‘unforgiving’.
‘Intermittent Explosive Disorder’ is a close contender as an anger disorder. However, what does it miss out?
It misses out anger. It is more described as an ‘aggressive’ disorder, needing behavioural outbursts twice a week that result from inability to control aggressive impulse.
What does ‘Intermittent Explosive Disorder’ focus on that is less of a widespread problem than actual marked anger? At what rates is this problem reported in the media compared to anger?
Violence and aggressive outbursts, behavioural traits that are about 10x less common than marked anger.
The media has a preoccupation on violence due to its social impact and therefore reports on violence about 10x more than on anger.
Why does ‘Intermittent Explosive Disorder’ not apply to most angry individuals?
Because it doesn’t cover the covertly angry person, who broods, is impatient, critical, etc., even though this person is distressed and/or impaired by their condition.
