Anger is a common emotion experienced by everyone. Surveys of college students and community adults show that most people feel at least mildly angry several times a week and that approximately 33% experience daily anger. Thus, anger is something with which we all have considerable experience.

Although the prevention and treatment of dysfunctional anger are important topics and areas of interest for the lab, it is important to recognize that not all anger is maladaptive or should be targeted for reduction. In fact, mild to moderate anger can have a number of positive effects. For example, anger often energizes individuals to address injustices, assert themselves, and solve problems in their relationships with others. These positive effects remind us that the goal of anger management programs should not be the elimination of one's angry feelings. Without the ability to experience and express anger, one would be poorly equipped to meet many basic needs.

For more information about healthy anger and why it is so important, check out The Upside of Anger, a TEDx Talk by Dr. Ryan Martin, an alumnus of the Anger and Traffic Psychology Lab who is now the Chair of the Psychology Department at the University of Wisconsin Green Bay.

Tags: anger management