Individual differences in patterns of appraisal and anger experience

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to identify and account for individual differences in the contextual experience of anger and its appraisals and in the associations between both. Participants (N=832) engaged in a directed imagery task of descriptions of unpleasant situations and reported on their appraisal and anger experience. Additionally, they filled out several dispositional questionnaires. The results demonstrated that at the basis of the experience of anger lies an externally induced disadvantage, which for many people elicits frustration. For some individuals, the latter is sufficient for becoming angered. Yet, for others, the thwarting has to be characterised by norm violation and has to be appraised as unfair and deliberate in order for them to experience anger. Individuals also differed as to whether threat to self-esteem was experienced along with frustration in situations that involved negative evaluative self-relevant information. Combined, the findings demonstrated that anger can occur in combination with different patterns of appraisals, varying as a function of situation and person characteristics.