Communications of the ACM
Want to Achieve Your Goals? Get Angry, Researchers Say
A functionalist theory of anger underlies the researchers' investigation.
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While often perceived as a negative emotion, anger can also be a powerful motivator for people to achieve challenging goals in their lives, according to research published by the American Psychological Association.
"People often believe that a state of happiness is ideal, and the majority of people consider the pursuit of happiness a major life goal," says lead author Heather Lench, a professor in the department of psychological and brain sciences at Texas A&M University. "But previous research suggests that a mix of emotions, including negative emotions like anger, result in the best outcomes."
In two experiments, the researchers found that anger improved people's ability to reach their goals compared with a neutral condition in a variety of challenging situations. Their work is published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.
"These findings demonstrate that anger increases effort toward attaining a desired goal, frequently resulting in greater success," says Lench. Amusement or desire were also associated with increased goal attainment, she says.
From American Psychological Association
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