Factors Responsible for an Increasing Trend in Anger and Aggression Among Youth
Topic:
Factors responsible for an increasing trend in Anger and Aggression among youth
Chapter 1
Introduction
Anger is a normal human emotion. Everyone feels annoyed, frustrated, irritated, or even very angry from time to time. Anger can be expressed by shouting, yelling, or swearing, but in extreme cases it can escalate into physical aggression towards objects (e.g. smashing things) or people (self or others).
In a controlled manner, some anger can be helpful, motivating us to make positive changes or take constructive action about something we feel is important. But when anger is very intense, or very frequent, then it can be harmful.
Anger may be said to be caused from almost the same factors that are responsible for other emotional reactions like fear and anxiety. In a situation where anger is aroused, the sympathetic nervous system is activated and this leads to the heart beating faster, higher pressure of blood flowing in the body and a sudden rush of adrenaline. Adrenaline is responsible for the dull red flush that people get on their faces when they are angry. This is caused by the epinephrine that results in an increased flow of blood to the blood vessels in the face. This is also the reason why anger is often associated with the color red.
Types of anger
a) Basic types of anger:
Anger can basically be of two types – primary and secondary.
Primary anger is when there is a situation that arouses negative feelings, and the person reacts to it with anger, pure and simple. Here, anger is a simple and direct response.
Secondary anger on the other hand is when a situation causes feelings of helplessness or fear and we react with anger. The primary emotion here is anxiety or helplessness, however we choose to get angry simply because it’s easier for us to get angry rather than face the fact that we are hurt or feeling out of control, anxious or helpless. Here, anger is a secondary emotion because it is not the direct result of a situation or stimulus.
b)
Factors responsible for an increasing trend in Anger and Aggression among youth
Chapter 1
Introduction
Anger is a normal human emotion. Everyone feels annoyed, frustrated, irritated, or even very angry from time to time. Anger can be expressed by shouting, yelling, or swearing, but in extreme cases it can escalate into physical aggression towards objects (e.g. smashing things) or people (self or others).
In a controlled manner, some anger can be helpful, motivating us to make positive changes or take constructive action about something we feel is important. But when anger is very intense, or very frequent, then it can be harmful.
Anger may be said to be caused from almost the same factors that are responsible for other emotional reactions like fear and anxiety. In a situation where anger is aroused, the sympathetic nervous system is activated and this leads to the heart beating faster, higher pressure of blood flowing in the body and a sudden rush of adrenaline. Adrenaline is responsible for the dull red flush that people get on their faces when they are angry. This is caused by the epinephrine that results in an increased flow of blood to the blood vessels in the face. This is also the reason why anger is often associated with the color red.
Types of anger
a) Basic types of anger:
Anger can basically be of two types – primary and secondary.
Primary anger is when there is a situation that arouses negative feelings, and the person reacts to it with anger, pure and simple. Here, anger is a simple and direct response.
Secondary anger on the other hand is when a situation causes feelings of helplessness or fear and we react with anger. The primary emotion here is anxiety or helplessness, however we choose to get angry simply because it’s easier for us to get angry rather than face the fact that we are hurt or feeling out of control, anxious or helpless. Here, anger is a secondary emotion because it is not the direct result of a situation or stimulus.
b)