Anger, Aggression, and Violence and Their Management

One of the persistent features of modern life is the increasing incidence of anger and aggression which culminate in hostility and violence. The incidence of these negative emotions is on the rise at various levels (e.g., individual, family, group, and nation), and humanity is paying heavy costs in terms of loss of life, increase in ecological hazards, and rise in challenges to health. Aggression is used as an instrument for gaining control over power, authority, and resources. The cultural control or regulatory mechanisms are compromised by the rise of consumerism and competitiveness. On the whole, violence and negativity are assuming alarming proportions. Against this backdrop, this chapter examines the social and cultural context of anger and aggression and discusses the strategies to deal with them. It is argued that control of anger and aggression and promotion of peace and harmony require multi-pronged strategies.