According to research published in the journal The Journal of Personality and Social Psychologyanger is more useful in motivating people to overcome obstacles and achieve goals than a neutral emotional state.
In a series of seven experiments, the researchers included students from the Texas A&M University and, in some cases, they provoked their reaction by showing them images that insulted their educational institution. “It worked well,” he said. Heather C. Lenchlead author of the study and professor at Texas A&M University Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences to The New York Times.
The researchers found that anger helped students solve several tests when they were asked to play a computer game rigged to make it almost impossible to win. This made them angry, but in those moments, the students moved faster and His reaction time decreased. Other experiments also showed that anger could be beneficial.
“For a long time, there was this idea that being positive all the time was a goal in life and that we should strive to achieve it,” Lench said, adding: “But there is growing evidence that, in reality, a balanced life through a mix of emotions is more satisfying and positive in the long term.” Experts say that being relentlessly positive and relying on happy clichés, also known as “toxic positivity”can be harmful.
“Most positivity jargon lacks nuance, compassion, and curiosity,” the therapist wrote. Whitney Goodman in his book “Toxic positivity” and added: “It comes in the form of general statements that tell someone how to feel and that the feeling they are having at that moment is wrong.”
Ethan Kross psychologist and director of Emotion and Self-Control Laboratory at the University of Michigan, stated: “Anger often sets in after you have been hurt and you continue to believe that you can right the ship. “It can be energizing.” “It sounds very obvious, but it’s not,” agreed Daniel Shapiro, associate professor of psychology at the Harvard Medical School and McLean Hospital and author of “Negotiating the Nonnegotiable.”
“We get angry when we feel that there is an obstacle that prevents us from doing something. Anger can also stem from emotions that shake us, such as shame, humiliation, or the feeling that we are not valued. At other times, anger can be triggered when we perceive a threat to our identity, for example, that our beliefs or values are being attacked,” Shapiro explained.
According to researchers, when anger surfaces, it is important to remember the goal behind it all. Otherwise, it can quickly get out of control and produce an excessive response that is too intense for the circumstances or lasts an excessive amount of time. To argue with someone constructively, it is suggested to imagine what the other person feels and analyze the problem from their point of view; It is more likely that you can influence it this way. Although that doesn’t mean you have to agree.
Within the work landscape, Simone Stolzoffexpert in work environment and author of ““The Good Enough Job”, suggests: “Find solidarity among other colleagues, especially those at your level, in a thoughtful and thoughtful way. Finally, letting off steam can feel good, but it usually doesn’t provide solutions. Try to get support from people who are objective and can help you reframe your circumstances.”
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