Anger Cues
Anger cues are warning signs that tell a person that
he/she is getting angry. Anger cues can be a physical or bodily response, a behavior, a feeling, or a thought. Becoming aware of anger cues that indicate that anger is increasing helps to prevent anger from becoming
a problem.
·
Physical Cues refer to the body’s responses to
anger. This would include the bodily sensation of feeling warm, or sweating, or even feeling a rush of energy.
· Behavioral Cues are actions or things that individuals do when getting angry, including yelling, teeth-clenching, fist-clenching,
door-slamming, etc.
· Emotional Cues refer to feelings that individuals may experience when getting angry. Fear or worry or jealousy can
trigger angry behavior.
· Thought Cues are thoughts that individuals may have or things that individuals may say to themselves that can lead to anger. The way
that an individual thinks about or interprets an event can increase anger and angry behavior.
Example:
While having dinner at a restaurant, Sally becomes angry when she “interprets”
the long wait in getting served as reflecting that the server doesn’t respect her. However, Sally doesn’t know
that the restaurant is understaffed that evening, and her server is especially busy.
