Useless Study Creates Confusion About Anger

Anger Study Endorsed by Carnegie Mellon University

Houston, November 2005 – A recent study on anger published on LiveScience.com sends the wrong message to anger addicts and rageaholics, according to James A. Baker, founder and director of the Anger Management Training Institute. The study, conducted by a psychologist at Carnegie Mellon University, indicates that people who act out of anger tend to have lower blood pressures and lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol than people who act out of fear. These findings, combined with results from a totally non-related study four years ago conducted by the same researcher, led her to conclude that people who act on their angry feelings are healthier and more optimistic than those who act on feelings of fear.

“What a load of bunk,” snorted Baker. “This is just another example of a useless, poorly designed, short-sighted study that, first of all, doesn’t really say anything that we don’t already know. But it says it in a way that could easily mislead people with anger problems and encourage them to continue their destructive behaviors instead of getting the help they need.”

There are several flaws in the study, according to Baker, author of the Anger Busting Workbook, and a certified anger resolution therapist as well as a leading authority on training and behavior improvement programs. One problem is that the conclusions clearly reflect only the value of balanced, healthy, appropriate anger.

“For Heaven’s sake, there is no real news here,” declared Baker. “We have known for years that people who express anger within normal, balanced boundaries are healthier and do a better job of managing their lives. That is what the whole process of assertiveness is designed to do – help people channel their anger in ways that are good and constructive. Anger is essentially a neutral emotion; it is neither good nor bad. When you deal with it appropriately, it will always make your life better.”

But the bigger problem, says Baker, is that people with serious anger problems are likely to cite this study as proof that their angry behavior is actually good for them.

“Can you imagine a rageaholic, a genuine wife-beater for instance, going off on his wife and then quoting this study?” asked Baker. “Gee, honey, I was afraid that you were going to leave me and start running around behind my back, and I read this study that says it is better if I act on my anger than it is to let fear control me. So, I yelled at you and roughed you up a little. I feel much better now.”

Baker points out that there is a little two-line note in the article that says chronic, explosive anger isn’t healthy, but he believes that is too little, too late.

“The whole tone of the article is ‘Look everybody! Getting angry is a great way to stay healthy! Isn’t science cool?’” he said in frustration. “Either the article is poorly written, the study was poorly conceived, or both.”

“Look, most of the time anger arises out of fear of something. We just don’t always immediately make the connection.” Baker explained. “It’s not that anger works better than fear, it’s that fear drives anger, and we all have to make choices about the most effective way to deal with that. It is simply wrong – maybe irresponsible -- to say, ‘Go ahead and get angry. It’s better for you.’ People need good information and real help, not junk science.”