Qualitatively Descriptive Account of Anger - Assignment Example

?Psychology: Anger The article examined functions by examining anger problems and what these problems say about the individual who has them. In greatregard the article presents a qualitatively descriptive account of anger and situates it within the broader context of theory and science. It’s revealed that while developing a background and contextual definition of anger is important, it’s also necessary to consider the various dimensions in which anger surfaces and redirected to within our daily lives. This essay considers these points within the article and analytically examines their application within a variety of contexts as they relate to highly relevant features of anger with a societal context. In these regards, the article begins with situating anger within the Freudian context. It argues that Freud believed anger represented a defense mechanism to protect a fragile ego that was under siege from an outside attack. The article argues that while Feud’s contention has some bearing to reality, that to comprehend the true nature of anger one must go beyond these articulations. This is a notable point in that it indicates that Freud’s early articulations of anger as rooted in ego defense is too simplistic a means of understanding that human condition, and that rather than speaking of it in terms of ego, one must embrace a more complex articulation of personality. In these regards, the article argues that one must understand the expansive nature of personality construction and realize that anger oftentimes masks emotions an individual is feeling elsewhere in their life. Anger is then understood as a sort reactive, secondary emotion in these regards. For instance, one can consider the nature of anger in the contextual situation of driving and getting cut-off in traffic. Within this context the initial emotion experienced by the individual was that of fear and the secondary reactive emotion was anger. In these regards, the predominant understanding of anger is the type of emotion that is reactive rather than an initial and instinctual emotion. One of the critical issues in examining anger in these regards is developing a workable definition of what constitutes anger. In these regards, the article advances a notion of anger as a protective emotion. The article’s contention is that when individuals experience anger it is out of a sort of survival instinct that is triggered by external circumstances. These circumstances then function by sending signals to the heart and internal organs and senses such that they alert the individual to the potential threats in the environment. While there are a great variety of things that can cause anger to occur, the two most overarching concepts in these regards is the current vulnerability as well as the extent of the individual’s perception of this vulnerability. It’s argued that the core assumptions of the nature of anger are such that they necessitate varying types of definitions. One such of these is problem anger, which indicates that the individual acts out of vulnerability to such an extent that it hinders their long term goals or interests. The article indicates that this is generally a temporary and short-lived occurrence that is brought on by a sudden shift in core value. This then result in the individual lashing out in angry ways towards those or the incident that caused their malaise. The article also addresses means of overcoming these sorts of problem anger situations by indicating that the individual should refrain from immediate action and enter a contemplative state of affairs. A more insightful insight in such a context is that when an individual finds themselves in such a state must act in accordance not with their feelings of anger, but with their long term goals. While the article makes interesting insights into the nature of human anger or consciousness, in large part one questions the overriding validity of the claim. For instance, the argument that there is an element of angry that is known as problem anger is seems more likely suited to the concept of top-down processing, rather than genuinely articulating the underlining features of the human psyche and anger. In these regards, one takes great objection to the presentation of the information without further scientific support. It’s argued that another in another form of anger the individual coping mechanisms contain internal aspect of shame and regret. The article is interesting in these regards, as it contends that the intellect must actively filter out messages that are instinctual as a means of communication, as this combination allows for the most effective life. Individuals will note that this distinction differentiates itself from many previous incarnations of thought on the subject, as it combines romanticist notions of primitive humanity, with contemporary intellectual ideals. Another perspective within the article considers anger as a biological way of coping without outside circumstances. Similar to the concept of reactive anger, the notion of symptomatic anger is advanced in the article. The essential argument is that while reactive anger functions as a means of redressing an emotion or sudden feeling into anger, symptomatic anger functions on a more nebulous level. In these regards, symptomatic anger is indicative of feelings of anger that are related to the individual questioning what they perceive as core deficiencies in their being. The individuals then react against these deficiencies through the expression of anger in a variety of contexts. In these regards, it seems that the article is arguing that the expression of anger functions to guard against these emotions as a sort of defense mechanism. One might consider an individual who feels they are not fit for intimate sexual relations. In terms of symptomatic anger, this individual would then express anger symptoms at others not as a means of directly expressing their anger, but rather as a defense against others that may attack their vulnerabilities in these areas. The article argues then that individuals who become overly dependent on covering up these deficiencies develop a sort of addiction to anger that is thematic throughout their entire being and existence. It’s also argued that if the individual has a healthy concept of self then they will not simply resort to anger defense mechanisms but develop ways of coping with their anger. In these regards, it’s clear that in terms of anger some of the underlining features are the means by which anger is implemented in different ways in outlying actions or emotions. It’s then the responsibility of the individual to determine ways of balancing these emotions in productive and efficient ways. While one may fear the exposure of the core essences of their being, it seems that such a thought process is indicative of an individual experiencing neurotic or dysfunctional behavior patterns that must be addressed and amended in ways that allow the individual to come to some acceptance with these core elements of their being and not attempt to mask them through outbursts of anger. It’s also necessary for one to consider the nature of anger in terms of life events. While it’s possible for a singular instant, such as a traffic accident, to trigger anger emotions, the article argues that within the broader context of things life events can also trigger levels of anger and emotion in the individual. In these regards one might consider the nature of post-traumatic stress disorder. In these instances soldiers have experienced tremendous mental and emotional trauma abroad which has been repressed and redirected into different facets of their existence. Upon returning to the United States then, they will sometimes experience outbursts or difficult social transitions. One can consider this in relation to the structural dimensions of anger that have been outlined throughout the article. It seems that in some instances wherein anger is able to be redirected instantaneously it can result in productive measures; however, when it builds it is clear that it can have highly disruptive tendencies. While individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder generally are able to cope with these challenges, in rare circumstances society witnesses the consequences of these actions in explosive ways. For instance, oftentimes public shootings are linked to individuals that have experienced such stressful situations in past environments. One can witness how events at Columbine may have been direct results of individuals experiencing tremendous stress and neglect at the hands of the culture they were apart. This neglect was then channeled into anger and expounded on a grand and tragic scale. In conclusion, it’s clear that the nature of anger is highly complex. While there exist a general background and definition of anger, the most pertinent issues of anger relate to its implementation as a secondary emotion. In these regards, it’s demonstrated that anger is oftentimes oppressed into the human psyche and surfaces in different areas. Even as this generally occurs in small and inconsequential instances, the essay demonstrates that if left unattended it can result in tremendous consequences. The examples demonstrated that anger can even result in widespread killing and other tragically destructive outbursts. Ultimately, it’s necessary to attend to these elements and ensure they are addressed in a timely way. References Seltzer, Leon. "Evolution of the Self." Psychology Today (2008): n. pag. Web. 21 Mar 2011. . Read More