J.T.Stocks, Ph.D1AHA! SyndromeAHA! Syndrome!Anger a negative, phenomenological feeling state associated with specific cognitive & perceptual distortions & deficiencies, subjective labeling, physiological changes, & action tendencies to engage in socially constructed & reinforced organized behavioral scripts!Hostility an attitude involving disliking another & evaluating him/her negatively!Aggression a response that delivers noxious stimuli to another organismAnger and CultureAnger and Culture!Anger is a social emotion!Sources of anger vary across cultures!Recognition of anger cues varies across cultures!Consequences of anger vary across culturesAnger and LanguageAnger and Language!Adaptive, Non-disturbed Anger (Annoyance)!Dysfunctional (Clinical) AngerAssessment of Anger:Assessment of Anger:SelfSelf--Report InventoriesReport Inventories!Novaco Provocation Inventory (NPI)"80 items; 5-step Likert scale"Reliability (Alpha) = .90 - .93!State-Trait Anger Scale (STAS)"30 items; 4-step scale"Reliability (Alpha)#Trait = .81 - .91#State = .88 - .95Assessment of Anger:Assessment of Anger:Behavioral InterviewsBehavioral Interviews!Environmental Antecedents!Cognitive and Emotional States!Types of Violence!Consequences of ViolenceJ.T.Stocks, Ph.D2Behavioral Interview:Behavioral Interview:Environmental Stimulus ConditionsEnvironmental Stimulus Conditions!Settings which incite aggression.!Types of people who incite aggression.!Forms of provocation which elicit aggression.!The degree to which alcohol and other drug consumption is related to aggression.Behavioral Interview:Behavioral Interview:Cognitive and Emotional StatesCognitive and Emotional States!Analysis of feelings, perceptions, expectations, and self-statements which lead to anger and aggression.!Note self-provoking statements, unrealistic expectations of others/self, and other irrational cognitions.!Evaluate feelings before, during, and after.Behavioral Interview:Behavioral Interview:Violent BehaviorsViolent Behaviors!Detailed descriptions of aggressive responses to a variety of stimulus conditions.!Previous use of lethal instruments.!Is client immediately dangerous to others?!Evaluate strengths.Behavioral Interview:Behavioral Interview:ConsequencesConsequences!Determine positive and negative responses associated with aggressive behavior.!Determine contingencies maintaining aggressive behavior Assessment of Anger:Assessment of Anger:OtherOther!Self-Monitoring!Direct Observation!Physiological MeasuresAttitudes that are Barriers to a Attitudes that are Barriers to a Helping RelationshipHelping Relationship!Strong Anger Is Justified and Appropriate!Emotional Responsibility and Blaming Others!Condemning Others!Self-Righteousness!The Catharsis Myth!Short-Term Reinforcement!Reactance and Perceived Lack of Empathy by OthersJ.T.Stocks, Ph.D3Building a Therapeutic RelationshipBuilding a Therapeutic Relationship!Acknowledge that the Client Was Wronged!Assess Client GoalsAcknowledge TransgressionAcknowledge Transgression!Attempts to Reduce Anger May Be Seen as Lack of Acknowledgement of Client’s Grievance!Acknowledge and Validate"Frustration"DisappointmentAssess Client GoalsAssess Client Goals!Agree upon a Goal to Explore!Explore the Consequences of Anger"Emotional Responsibility"Is It Healthy to Express Anger?"Is Anger an Effective Way to Control Others?!Explore