Impact of Labeled Anger and Blame in Intimate Relationships

Abstract

Three recent studies in the United Stats investigated the impact of negative feeling statements in intimate relationships. Accusatory "You" messages were rted as more likely to evoke animosity and antagonistic behavior than were assertive 'T' messages. Statements communicating angry feelings were rated as more likely to evoke animosity and antagonistic behavior than were statements communicating feelings of distress. The present study investigated the applicability of these findings in an Asian culture using a native language. College students in the Philippines rated their likely reactions to negative feeling statements written either in English or Tagalog. Overal findings were consistent with results obtained with American subjects. Effects due to language were not in a consistent direction. The authors conclude that verbalized anger and blame may evoke emotional and behavioral inclinations that are universally antagonistic, and that cultural, gender, and language differences-where they occur-may be in degree rather than direction.