Anger Management
Anger Management
Anger Management
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.
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
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/
Prevent an outburst
Talk calmly Teach problem solving Remember that anger is not directed at you but toward you (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