Explore why we get angry, measuring anger in infants, gender differences in aggression and the role of testosterone, the myth of catharsis, and strategies for addressing anger and aggression.
Infants lack the cognitive understanding of anger and mainly express dissatisfaction.
Toddlers' underdeveloped brain structures lead to frequent acts of aggression and anger outbursts.
Deep dives
Infants Expressing Anger
Infants as young as three months old show signs of expressing anger, though it is difficult to measure and differentiate between general negative states and actual anger at that age. While adults may interpret a baby's cries as anger, infants lack the cognitive understanding of anger, and their limited range of expression mainly consists of dissatisfaction.
Anger in Toddlers
Toddlers exhibit explosive anger due to their underdeveloped brain structures for regulating emotions. Their inability to regulate frustration or control their desires leads to frequent acts of aggression. The prefrontal cortex, responsible for controlling behavior and emotions, does not fully develop until early adulthood, resulting in the frequent and intense anger outbursts observed in toddlers.
Factors Influencing Anger and Strategies for Managing It
Anger arises when individuals perceive unjust harm, and its triggers vary greatly. While men and women report feeling anger with equal frequency, women are less likely to engage in outright aggression and commonly exhibit indirect aggression like spreading rumors. Testosterone's role in aggression is smaller in humans compared to animals. To address anger and aggression, effective strategies include cognitive reappraisal, which involves viewing provocations from a self-distanced perspective, and mindfulness, which helps individuals recognize and regulate anger without acting upon it.