Explanation on anger

Essay by odbizzalCollege, Undergraduate May 2006

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The question that is asked by many is, "How do psychologists explain anger?" And to find an answer we look at how anger research even began. At the end of the 19th century, Sigmund Freud, the father of psychoanalysis, argued that individuals are born with an innate aggressive instinct, and when this is blocked, they have a natural urge to become hostile or angry. Since that time, many of Freud's ideas have been proven incorrect. In 1988, the American Psychological Association and the American Anthropological Association reviewed all the research and concluded that we are not genetically predisposed to violence, nor can it be scientifically related to natural evolutionary processes. Our physiological and genetic makeup does give us the physical equipment with which to become both aggressive and angry, but the manner in which we use it is very largely determined by our psychological and social development.

When looking at anger we all know the basics, but psycologists have a deeper understanding than the surface may show.

For example, Doctor J has said that, "Anger is a very primitive emotion and is basically a counterproductive experience in most situations." Therefore when angry, people are going to be more physical capabale of doing things rather than if they weren't angry. To lift more wieght at the gym to winning a fight against someone who is over two times your size. Anger is a fuel that rarely is helpful in modern day society. Anger as we all know has its dark sides. It is the cause for one to not be as smart, can age skin, disrupt your digestion cycle, and even raise your blood pressure to the point of a serious heart attack or even stroke.

What is it in us that leads us to be mad? It all comes...