Anger is a phylogenetic basic emotion. It has been shown to be a physiologic response to stress, triggered by perception of a threat. It is also a motivational state that can motivate an organism toward a goal. Its physiologic effects include an increase in blood pressure and the release of noradrenaline. It serves many purposes in human life, including the support of goal-directed behavior, the counterbalance of feelings of vulnerability, and the maintenance of personal consistency.
Image Source
Anger is also used to restore autonomy, as well as to overcome obstacles. It is believed to be a fundamental step in asserting self-mastery. However, it can also be destructive. It can be directed at others, at success, and at the very notion of self. A healthy expression of anger can be tamed by acknowledging the point of view of others, and by respecting ethical and social norms.
Anger can be categorized into three main types: irritation, rage, and competitiveness. It is important to distinguish between these three types, and recognize their respective meanings. Anger is a basic emotional reaction to a threat, which is useful in initiating the fight-flight response. It is often accompanied by facial expressions, such as the sneer or the angry frown. Some forms of anger are ineffective, and are considered antisocial.
A recent study by Shah et al. demonstrated that anger is associated with a scarcity mindset. People with a scarcity mindset believe that everything necessary for their future progress is running out. They feel anger, envy, and guilt, and they may feel that there is little hope for their future. The study found that participants who felt scarcity spent more time focusing on information related to scarcity and less time focusing on information related to other needs. They also experienced a reduction in cognitive performance, as well as a higher level of stress hormones.
Anger can be a powerful tool in interpersonal conflict negotiations, but it can be misused. It may also be a precursor to antisocial conduct, particularly when it is misdirected. It is therefore important to understand the different functions of anger and how it can be controlled.
Several studies have shown that the perception of scarcity motivates an organism to focus on its demands, and to overborrow. Moreover, they have found that people who have a scarcity mindset tend to prioritize their most pressing financial problems over less pressing ones. They may also not pay attention to the consequences of borrowing. It is also known that these types of behavior are expensive, and a scarcity mindset can lead to debt cycles.
A more in-depth study by Zhao and Tomm (2017) showed that scarcity can lead to a lack of attention to useful information. They randomly assigned participants to a small or large budget for a food-related task. They also measured visual attention. They found that participants under scarcity spent more time focusing on the food-related information than participants who were not under scarcity. They also found that the duration of a food-related task was shorter for participants who felt less scarcity.