Ask just about anyone, and they’ll tell you anger isn’t a ‘good’ emotion. They’ll tell you that it doesn’t just do damage to your relationships, but to your heart, and that it is a sign of weakness displayed by those who can’t find a more intelligent way to express their desires. Perhaps it would be better if you stood in the corner, counted to ten, and then had a quick meditation break.
They’re wrong. Anger is good for you.
That really shouldn’t come as a surprise; if there was no benefit to anger, why would humans have developed such a powerful response to that which we are against?
There’s both internal and external value to anger, so let’s take a look at both.
INTERNAL BENEFITS
It motivates us.
A study for Psychological Science asked participants to sit in front of a computer screen while objects appeared on the screen. At the end of the session, they were asked how much they wanted the objects. Little did the participants realise, but before each image was shown, a frame featuring either a fearful, angry, or neutral face flashed before them.
The subjects felt a stronger connection to objects linked to the angry faces. Subconsciously, they saw the angry face as a competitor, and therefore saw the object as more valuable. Objects linked to the scared face were the least desired.
It makes us more optimistic.
We’ve all heard the ‘fight or flight response’: the trigger that decides whether an animal will fight for its life or make a hasty retreat. Though rarely is a human placed in a life-threatening situation when they have to make such a choice, the instinct to get angry and respond is tied heavily to how optimistic we are. An optimist is more likely to get angry and engage the situation, whereas a pessimist will quickly concede and bottle their feelings, which ultimately tends to have worse consequences.
As Mark Twain said: “Anger is an acid that can do more harm to the vessel in which it is stored than to anything on which it is poured”.
It facilitates self-reflection.
Some people prefer to kick the wall and throw objects around the room when they get angry at themselves. Others are more likely to sit in silence and ruminate on what went wrong. A study from the late 90s discovered that 55% of people who prescribed to the latter activity say that getting angry lead to a positive outcome. Why? Because reflecting on the event often lead to a realisation of how it could be resolved, or avoided entirely. Meanwhile, the only thought that’s gone through people in the former group’s heads is who to call to fix the hole in the wall.
EXTERNAL BENEFITS
It defines relationships.
Say Person A gets angry at Person B over something that they did. Person B now understands they shouldn’t repeat the action in order to keep Person A happy. If they want to continue a relationship of any kind with Person A, they won’t.
It reduces violence.
It might sound weird, but this comes back to our ‘fight or flight response’. Anger stirs something bestial in us, but when violence is a possibility, most people will do whatever it takes to reduce the chance of making it a reality.
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Of course, we’re not talking about going all Incredible Hulk. Don’t be a dick; pick your battles, and be respectful. Anger isn’t about creating fear, it’s about making sure your point gets across when everything else fails.
And if none of the above can convince you, perhaps Aristotle can?
“The man who is angry at the right things and with the right people, and further, as he ought, when he ought, and as long as he ought, is praised.”