我们通常认为生气是非理性的行为,是消极情绪,但是,有研究发现生气这一行为也有着其积极的一面。
There are all sorts of good sensible, civilised reasons to avoid getting angry.
Not only does it make you feel bad, it makes you do stupid things without noticing the risks and it can be self-destructive.
As a result civilised people do their best to suppress, redirect and mask their anger. Most of us treat our anger as though it's unreasonable, unshowable and unmentionable.
But like all emotions anger has its purposes, which can be used to good effect.
1. Anger is a motivating force
You sometimes hear people talking about using anger as a motivating force by 'turning anger into positive energy'. In fact anger itself is a kind of positive energy and a powerful motivating force. Research has shown that anger can make us push on towards our goals in the face of problems and barriers.
In one study participants were shown objects they associated with a reward. Some, though, were first exposed to angry faces. Those shown the angry faces were more likely to want objects they were subsequently exposed to (Aarts et al., 2010).
When we see something as beneficial, we want it more when we're angry. So, when used right, constructive anger can make you feel strong and powerful and help push you on to get what you want.
2. Angry people are more optimistic
It may sound like an odd thing to say, but angry people have something in common with happy people. That's because both tend to be more optimistic.
Take one study of fear of terrorism carried out in the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. In this study those experiencing anger expected fewer attacks in the future (Lerner et al., 2003). In contrast those experiencing more fear were more pessimistic about the future and expected further attacks.
3. Anger can benefit relationships
Anger is a natural reaction to being wronged by someone else and it's a way of communicating that sense of injustice. But society tells us anger is dangerous and we should hide it. What does this do to our personal relationships?
Oddly enough research has shown that hiding anger in intimate relationships can be detrimental (Baumeister et al., 1990). The problem is that when you hide your anger, your partner doesn't know they've done something wrong. And so they keep doing it. And that doesn't do your relationship any good.
The expression of anger, if justifiable and aimed at finding a solution rather than just venting, can actually benefit and strengthen relationships.
4. Anger provides self-insight
Anger can also provide insight into ourselves, if we allow it.
A sample of Americans and Russians were asked about how recent outbursts of anger had affected them (Kassinove et al., 1997). 55% claimed that getting angry had let to a positive outcome. One top of this one-third said that anger provided an insight into their own faults.
If we can notice when we get angry and why, then we can learn what to do to improve our lives. Anger can motivate self-change.
5. Anger reduces violence
Although anger often precedes physical violence, it can also be a way of reducing violence. That's because it's a very strong social signal that a situation needs to be resolved. When others see the signal they are more motivated to try and placate the angry party.
If you're still not convinced that anger might reduce violence, imagine a world without anger where people had no method for showing how they felt about injustice. Might they jump straight to violence?
6. Anger as negotiation strategy
Anger can be a legitimate way to get what you want. In one study of negotiation participants made larger concessions and fewer demands of an angry person than one who was happy (Van Kleef et al., 2002).
So there's some evidence that anger can be used as a negotiation strategy, but it's more complicated than that. You can't just lose your rag and expect to win everything you want.
Anger is likely to work best when it's justified, if you appear powerful and when the other side's options are limited (Sinaceur & Tiedens, 2006; Van Kleef et al., 2007).
In the right circumstances, then, it's possible to both get mad and get even.
雅思阅读难句实例解析:定语从句
专家教你如何作答雅思阅读简短回答问题
剑桥雅思真题集5阅读部分全面分析(1)
探究雅思阅读技巧(英)
雅思阅读分类题实例讲解
雅思阅读文章中的9种重要关系
雅思阅读难句的基本阅读方法分享
剑桥雅思五阅读译文Test2:电木(BAKELITE)
雅思阅读T/F/NG题的快速判断法
雅思阅读难句实例解析:省略句
雅思阅读考试的常见问题及官方解释(英)
雅思阅读难句实例解析:分割结构
雅思阅读:人口老龄化带来的问题(双语)
详解雅思阅读考试必须要掌握的技巧
从四个方面下手提高雅思阅读成绩
提升词汇量和阅读速度 轻松攻克雅思阅读
雅思阅读List of headings标题中的启示
G类雅思阅读备考指南
雅思阅读高分四大法则
雅思阅读“无词阅读法”的直接效果
雅思阅读Ture/False/Not given题的解题笔记
细数雅思阅读not given题的八大考点
如何在4个月之内拿下雅思阅读
雅思阅读经典难句分析:定语从句(2)
剑桥雅思真题集5阅读部分全面分析(2)
探秘雅思阅读summary题型中的空格
实例解析雅思阅读T/F/NG题型的解题原则
如何应对雅思阅读的配对题(Matching题)
雅思阅读的学习方法指导(英)
熟悉雅思阅读 120天内突破阅读难关
不限 |
英语教案 |
英语课件 |
英语试题 |
不限 |
不限 |
上册 |
下册 |
不限 |