Date of Award

2008

Document Type

Thesis

Publisher

Edith Cowan University

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts Honours

School

School of Psychology and Social Sciences

Faculty

Faculty of Computing, Health and Science

First Supervisor

Dr Ken Robinson

Abstract

Anger is a frequently experienced emotion that has been shown to influence perceptions, beliefs, ideas, reasoning, and ultimately choices and actions. It has the potential to become a serious problem if it reaches dysfunctional levels. This study examines the role of biological sex, gender role, and extraversion-introversion in the expression, experience and control of anger. A sample of 110 persons drawn from the Australian community were administered the Staxi-2, EPQ-R and the BSRI. Results showed that extraversion-introversion accounted for most variance associated with anger expression, while gender role accounted for most variance associated with anger control. Biological sex was not significant in accounting for anger variance. This research has highlighted factors that correlate with different aspects of anger, and provides for a better understanding of anger as both an emotional and socially constructed force. The results are consistent with the view that biological factors probably best explain the expression of anger, but that socially constructed factors such as gender role may best explain the control of anger. Sustained research in this area will provide for improved understanding of how biological and social determinants interact in the expression and control of anger.

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