Anger and Aggression

Question 1

What is anger?

Answer 1

Anger is an emotional, physiological and cognitive state that is typically associated
with hostile thoughts, physiological arousal and maladaptive behaviours.

Question 2

What is aggression?

Answer 2

Aggression refers to any behaviour that is intended to inflict harm (physical and
/ or psychological) on another person, organism or object.

Question 3

Is aggression intentional?

Answer 3

yes

Question 4

What are the two types of aggression?

Answer 4

Psychologists have traditionally distinguished between two types of
aggression:
1) Hostile Aggression: Stems from anger, motivated by a desire to
hurt and cause harm as the end goal. Typically impulsive,
unplanned, hot behaviour.
2) Instrumental Aggression: Aggression is a means to a goal, e.g.
killing someone to steal money from them. Typically viewed as
premeditated, planned, emotionless, cold behaviour. Involves some
calculation of costs and benefits.

Question 5

What is ethology?

Answer 5

: the study of animal behaviour in their natural environment and
how animal behaviours increase the animal’s chance of survival (including
the reproduction) of the species.

Question 6

How do you deal with aggressive patients?

Answer 6

1) Stay Calm and Adopt an Assertive Approach
avoid sending signals
of aggression yourself
Keep your voice and intonation at a conversational level
An assertive approach
2) Acknowledge the Aggressor and allow them to ‘Let off Steam’
Ask open questions
3) Listen Actively
maintain eye contact, to smile and
use open gestures.
80% of communication is non-verbal communication
4) Do Not Reward Rudeness or Abuse
5) Do Not Bluff
6) Focus on the Story, not the Aggression

A. Two’s company
B. Stay calm
C. Position yourself carefully
D. Body language
E. Offer a snack or drink