Anger Defined
Angry behavior refers to a wide range of actions associated with the expression of displeasure, disagreement, or dislike in relation to other people, objects, or situations. This module focuses on recognizing and coping with angry feelings as they arise from within. Module Four addresses coping with anger coming from another person.
Interpersonal anger usually takes the form of negative statements directed at another person, or oneself, delivered in a stern tone of voice, at moderate or loud voice volume, with dominant body posture and serious facial expression. Angry behavior varies in intensity from mild (confronting firmly) to severe (yelling) to dangerous (breaking objects, hitting).
Physical responses to anger arising from within can include heavy breathing or holding one's breath, a flushed face, tensing of facial neck or other muscles, glaring stares, crying, clenching fists, grinding teeth and or an accelerated heartbeat. Individuals may feel they are "on the edge" or on the verge of "losing control."
As they learn to recognize what situations/issues trigger their own anger and become proficient at identifying their own physical signals of anger, they can learn to monitor and control their outward behavior before it escalates into hostile actions.
Why People Experience Anger
People feel angry for many reasons. Frustration (when learning new skills) and broken promises are just a few of the common issues that generate angry feelings from within. People also can become angry as a reaction to fear, loss, or pain. Anger may be directed at another person when the actual anger is about something else. This is referred to as "misdirected" anger.
Dangerous Self Anger
Dangerous anger from within results in angry behavior that may cause physical injury to oneself or others. Recognizing signs that one's anger feels out of control should serve as a signal for an individual to leave the situation immediately. The teacher may need to discuss examples of feeling out of control, such as the urge to hurt someone or oneself and an increase in verbal attack.