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Anger Management

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Anger Management

A Guide for Teachers to Manage Student Anger


By Karen Niemerg Anger is an emotion that all of us share. For teenagers, who have less skill at managing their emotions, low self-esteem and a confused sense of self, anger is an emotion often expressed. We have all come into contact with a sullen teenager that starts the day with a chip on their shoulder, and ends it in full blown rage by the end of the day over minor disappointments or imagined slights. (Murphy, 2001) This web site was designed to help teachers by presenting strategies to diffuse teenage anger and prevent episodes of rage in the classroom.

To understand why teens become angry we need to know,


What anger is How the emotion of anger affects the body Genetic or environmental factors The stages of anger

What is Anger?
From the American Heritage Dictionary, Anger is a feeling of extreme displeasure, hostility, indignation, or exasperation toward someone or something; rage, wrath, ire. From Dr. Murphy a psychologist specializing in adolescent and child anger management, (Murphy, 2001) Anger is a powerful response, triggered by a negative emotion that results in an attack of variable intensity that is not always appropriate. Anger is an emotion that has stages, First, there is a trigger, something that sets off the emotion. Often this trigger is a perception. Johnny, looked at me funny When in reality Johnny was just looking at the clock. Or My parents think I fail at everything. When his parents in reality are just concerned that their son is not working up to the potential that they know he has. 1

Anger is a learned behavior, We are not born angry but we learn the triggers that cause the emotion of anger through experience from our family, friends and environment. For example, the perception or trigger that caused the person to become angry and exclaim I fail at everything may come from years of learned response caused by parents who have unrealistically high expectations Anger is a secondary emotion, Anger is preceded by other emotions or feelings such as pain or fear. (Schiraldi, 2002) When we are unable to handle a situation fear can emerge. Like other animals humans have a natural fight or flight response. If a situation develops such as a teacher putting a child on the spot to answer a question fear may cause that child to become angry. Pain can elicit the same response. If you have ever witnessed a child receiving a shot in the arm most likely you have witnessed the response of anger to that pain. Anger is a powerful and intense emotion, Anger is a powerful and intense emotion and it can bring about a sense of power over others. Anger can intimidate others and be used to manipulate others. Anger is not a pure emotion but a broad emotion that is triggered by a broad range of other emotions, frustration, boredom, fear, rejection, depression, humiliation and loneliness. (Murphy, 2001) Every teacher at some point has witnessed anger directed at him or her by students in the hope that they can manipulate a situation. An example of this would be, the student who throws an angry tantrum to avoid doing an assignment that they think is boring.

How does the emotion of anger affect the body?


Physiologically anger affects the body in these ways. Your blood pressure rises Your heart rate increases Fight or flight hormones are released Because of this hormonal response some people do not return to a normal state of calm after this process, but can remain in a state of heightened alert for hours wound up like a top ready to spin out of control. For more info see, http://www.apa.org/pubinfo/anger.html

Are there medical conditions that stimulate anger or lead to uncontrollable anger?
Yes, conditions such as brain injury, neurological problems, mood swings from sugar levels, medications and allergies can all contribute to uncontrollable anger. Students with special needs should always be considered with utmost care. Anger that is caused not by perception and response but by medical conditions requires different techniques and guidance. For help with these conditions see a special education resource teacher, guidance counselor, school nurse or other healthcare specialist. For further resources on medical conditions see http://mywebmd.com/ Or http://cfw.tufts.edu/viewtopics.asp?categoryid=4&topicid=75

Are some people angrier than others?


Yes, according to Jeffrey Deffenbacher, PhD, a psychologist who specializes in anger management, some people really are more hotheaded than others are; they get angry more easily and intensely than the average person does. There are also those who dont show their anger in loud spectacular ways but are chronically irritable and grumpy. Easily angered people dont always curse and throw things; sometimes they withdrawal socially, sulk, or get physically ill. People who are easily angered generally display what some psychologists call a low tolerance for frustration according to Dr. Deffenbacher. Meaning simply that they feel that they should not be subjected to frustration, inconvenience, or annoyance. They cant take things in stride, and theyre particularly infuriated if the situation seems somehow unjust: for example, being corrected for a minor mistake.

Is it environmental or genetic?
A little of both, Dr. Deffenbacher states, There is evidence that some children are born, irritable, touchy, and easily angered, and that these signs are present from a very early age. Another cause may be sociocultural. Anger is often regarded as negative; were taught that it is all right to express anxiety, depression, or other emotions but not to express anger. As a result we dont learn how to handle it or channel it constructively. And finally, research has also found that family background plays a role. Typically, people who are easily angered come from families that are disruptive, chaotic, and not skilled at emotional communications. As teachers we should try and get to know our students as well as possible. Understanding student backgrounds is often most important when understanding behavior or any kind including anger. Anger is a secondary response and the key to understanding anger can often be as simple as asking a student, How are you doing today? For help with family situations see, http://www.afta.org/

The Stages of Anger


Dr. Murphy has developed the four stages of anger into an easily understood plan.

Step One-The Buildup


The buildup stage sets the foundation upon which the anger will be built. (Murphy, 2001) Contributing factors: 1. Experiences 2. Learned attitudes 3. Past reactions 4. Physical stress 5. Low self-esteem 6. Unrealistic attitudes 7. Poor coping skills Your Goal as a teacher to manage anger:

Prevent an outburst
Talk calmly Teach problem solving Remember that anger is not directed at you but toward you (Murphy, 2001)

Stage Two-The Spark


The spark is the action or thought that sets off the angry outburst. (Murphy, 2001) Contributing factors: 1. Mutual antagonism 2. Sight or thought of something unpleasant 3. Hot button words or topics such as Where is your assignment 4. Outside influences/ mishaps 5. Immature reasoning Your goal as a teacher to manage anger:

Defuse the problem


Look beyond the spark for the true problem Listen calmly Label the correct motion Restate the rules (Murphy, 2001)

Stage Three-The explosion


The explosion is the stage where feelings get hurt. Meanness, aggression, and even violence come to light. (Murphy, 2001) Contributing factors: 1. Raised voices, 2. Insults, 3. Name calling, 4. Hitting, 5. Kicking, 6. Shredded homework or worse. Your goal as a teacher to manage anger:

Contain the explosion and minimize any resulting damage


Stay calm Dont bargain or threaten Remind of discipline Cool off Separate the actors of more than one student is involved (Murphy, 2001)

Stage Four The Aftermath


This is the stage that is most overlooked but is most important. The aftermath is where teacher and student calmly discuss and confront the original problem. Remember what ever is unresolved is likely to become the buildup for the next angry outburst. Contributing factors: 1. Magnitude of the outburst 2. Your degree of calm 3. The control of your own emotions 4. Your expressions 5. Your care and respect Your goal as a teacher to manage anger:

Resolve the problem and gain insight to forestall future episodes


Talk over what happened Use teachable moments for problem solving Manage any micro bursts Follow through on discipline (Murphy, 2001)

Remember,
The same components that create anger in adolescents apply to you, the teacher, as well. When dealing with an angry child remain calm. Do not redirect anger back at him or her. Also, be familiar with what triggers your own anger. Keep this in mind when you come into the classroom frustrated about something that occurred at home, problems with co-workers or other situations that can send you out of control. Other resources for teachers, http://members.aol.com/AngriesOut/ http://stress.about.com/cs/anger/ http://wholechild.net/angermanagement.htm

Sources
American Psychological Association http://www.apa.org/pubinfo/anger.html 9/19/03 Madow, Leo M.D. Anger How to Recognize and Cope with it. (Charles Scribners Sons: New York) 1972 Murphy, Tim PhD. The Angry Child Regaining Control when your Child is Out of Control. (Three Rivers Press: New York) 2001 Scheingold, Lee Clinical Reference Systems, Annual 2001 P 97 Schiraldi, Glenn R., PhD. And Kerr, Melissa Hallmark PhD. The Anger Management Sourcebook. (Contemporary Books: New York) 2002 Thomas, Sandra P. Perspectives in Psychiatric Care, April-June 2001 v37 i2 P. 41

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