Anger Can Help: A Transactional Model and Three Pathways of the Experience and Expression of Anger

Keywords

threat perception, anger, relationship correction, adaptation, healing, forgiveness, constructive anger, destructive anger, view of self in relation to other

Abstract

Anger is a significant human emotion with far‐reaching implications for individuals and relationships. We propose a transactional model of anger that highlights its relational relevance and potentially positive function, in addition to problematic malformations. By evolutionary design, physical, self‐concept, or attachment threats all similarly trigger diffuse physiological arousal, psychologically experienced as anger‐emotion. Anger is first a signaling and motivational system. Anger is then formed to affirming, productive use or malformed to destructive ends. A functional, prosocial approach to anger organizes it for protective and corrective personal and relational adaptation. In our model, threat perception interacts with a person's view of self in relation to other to produce helpful or harmful anger. Inflated or collapsed views of self in relation to other produce distinct manifestations of destructive anger that are harmful to self, other, and relationship. Conversely, a balanced view of self in relation to other promotes constructive anger and catalyzes self, other, and relationship healing. Clinical use of the model to shape healing personal and relational contact with anger is explored.

Original Publication Citation

Butler, M. H.*, Meloy-Miller, K. C.*, Seedall, R. B., & Dicus, J. L. (2018). Anger can help: A transactional model and three pathways of the experience and expression of anger. Family Process, 57(3), 817-835.

Document Type

Peer-Reviewed Article

Publication Date

2017-07-23

Permanent URL

http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/7279

Publisher

Family Process

Language

English

College

Family, Home, and Social Sciences

Department

Family Life

University Standing at Time of Publication

Full Professor

Link to Full Text

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