In the collective imagination, anger is often associated with immaturity, an inability to control oneself, or even a kind of madness. In short, it’s seen as having nothing positive to offer. However, this negative perception might need a rethink, according to a study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology and reported by Psychologies.
Anger: A Source of Greater Motivation!
Researchers from Texas A&M University in the United States conducted studies that determined the benefits of anger. According to their findings, this emotion, often seen as negative, is actually a powerful motivator and helps complete even the most challenging tasks. To arrive at these results, the group of researchers gathered 1400 individuals to assess the impact of anger on their performance. Those who harnessed anger to tackle a difficult task achieved the best results.
Scientists also observed that anger reduces reaction time. “These results demonstrate that anger increases effort to achieve a desired goal, which often leads to greater success,” stated Dr. Heather Lench, the study’s lead author.
All Feelings Are Worth Expressing!
To explain this phenomenon, researchers linked anger to perseverance, tenacity, and heightened motivation.
“People often prefer to use positive emotions as tools rather than negative ones. They also tend to view negative emotions as undesirable and inappropriate,” explained the scientist.
“Our study adds to the growing body of evidence showing that a mix of positive and negative emotions promotes well-being and that using negative emotions as tools can be particularly effective in certain situations,” she added.
