Broadcast: July 18, 2021 at 4 p.m.
Do you feel more angry lately? Have you found yourself in heated arguments on Facebook or Twitter? You’re not alone. Surveys have found a rising anger over the last several years, even before the coronavirus pandemic. A 2018 Gallup poll found more Americans stressed, worried and angered than the previous year.
Some researchers suggest that anger is often an indicator of other things going on inside us, including anxiety.On this episode of PEACE TALKS RADIO, producer Megan Kamerick explores the dynamics of anger with three guests who offer insights on how one can avoid fights that don’t change anything, and also how to use our anger effectively. First we hear from Dr. Harriet Lerner. She’s a psychologist best known for her work on the psychology of women and family relationships. She’s the author of 12 books, including the best seller The Dance of Anger. Lerner says we often mismanage anger and women in particular are socialized NOT to show anger.
Todd Kashdan is a psychologist and author. Along with Robert Biswas Diener he has written numerous articles and the book The Upside of Your Dark Side where they explore the power of bringing our whole selves, not just the positive side, to our work and relationships.
Aaron Balick is a psychotherapist and author of The Psychodynamics of Social Networking: Connected-Up Instantaneous Culture and the Self and he talks with Megan about how anger manifests online, whether it’s possible to promote kindness and understanding online, and what the overall impact on society of all this might, in fact, be.