Anger and Snap Judgments Read the article entitled “Anger Can Cause Snap Judgments” and answer the following questions.
ANGER CAN CAUSE SNAP JUDGMENTS
Anger can make a normally unbiased person act with prejudice, according to a forthcoming study in the journal Psychological Science.
Assistant psychology professors David DeSteno at Northeastern University in Boston and Nilanjana Dasgupta at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, randomly divided 81 study participants into two groups and assigned them a writing task designed to induce angry, sad or neutral feelings. In a subsequent test to uncover nonconscious associations, angry subjects were quicker to connect negatively charged words—like war, death and vomit—with members of the opposite group—even though the groupings were completely arbitrary.
“These automatic responses guide our behavior when we're not paying attention,” says DeSteno, and they can lead to discriminatory acts when there is pressure to make a quick decision. “If you're aware that your emotions might be coloring these gut reactions,” he says, “you should take time to consider that possibility and adjust your actions accordingly.”
—Eric Strand
a. Is the study experimental or observational? The study in this example is experimental.
b. What is the independent variable? The independent variable in this study is automatic responses that guide our behavior when we’re not paying attention.
c. What is the dependent variable? The dependent variable in this study is discriminatory acts, such as anger, sadness, and negativity that pressures one to make a quick decision.
d. Do you think the sample sizes are large enough to merit the conclusion? Yes, I believe that the sample size is large enough to merit the conclusion.
Based on the results of the study, what changes would you recommend to persons to help them reduce their anger?
critical thinking
anger and snap judgment
is the study experimental or observational?
Well, according to this study, it seems like anger can make people act with prejudice and make snap judgments. So, if you want to reduce your anger and avoid making discriminatory decisions, I have a few recommendations for you:
1. Take a deep breath and count to ten. Or if you're feeling really angry, count to a hundred. Just give yourself some time to cool down and regain control over your emotions.
2. Try to see things from a different perspective. Put yourself in the other person's shoes and imagine how they might be feeling or what they might be going through. It can help you empathize and understand their point of view better.
3. Engage in some stress-relieving activities. Go for a walk, listen to music, watch a funny video, or do something that helps you relax and takes your mind off the things that made you angry in the first place.
4. Practice mindfulness. Pay attention to your thoughts and emotions without judgment. This can help you become more aware of when anger is starting to arise and give you the space to choose a more constructive response.
5. Seek support from friends, family, or a therapist. Sometimes talking about your anger and getting advice or perspective from others can be really helpful in managing it.
Remember, it's okay to feel angry, but it's important to find healthy ways to express and deal with that anger without causing harm to yourself or others. And hey, if all else fails, maybe just put on a clown wig and try to see the humor in the situation. Laughter can be the best medicine!
Based on the results of the study, it was found that anger can lead to snap judgments and discriminatory acts. To help reduce anger, here are some recommendations:
1. Awareness: Be aware that anger can affect your judgment and lead to biased decisions. Recognize when you are feeling angry and acknowledge that your emotions might be influencing your perceptions.
2. Pause and Reflect: When faced with a situation that triggers anger, take a pause before responding or making a decision. Give yourself time to reflect on the situation and consider alternative perspectives.
3. Empathy: Try to put yourself in the shoes of others involved in the situation. Empathy can help you understand their point of view and reduce the intensity of anger.
4. Communication: Instead of immediately acting on your anger, engage in open and honest communication with the person or group involved. Express your concerns or frustrations in a calm and respectful manner.
5. Self-care: Take care of your emotional well-being by engaging in activities that help you relax and unwind. This can include exercise, meditation, hobbies, or spending time with loved ones.
6. Seek support: If you find that anger is regularly affecting your judgment and behavior, consider seeking professional help from a therapist or counselor. They can provide guidance and techniques for managing anger effectively.
Remember, reducing anger takes practice and effort. By implementing these recommendations, you can work towards making more rational and fair judgments, even in challenging situations.