While normally quiet, well-adjusted, people can behave aggressively if sufficiently provoked, aggression can be expected from those with toxic anger. It is also part of domestic violence. In the criminal world aggression is used inspire fear. Even the elderly are not spared in violent burglaries and the results are seen in the wounds and bruises of these unfortunate victims. Researchers call this instrumental aggression as against emotional aggression, and some suggest that such violence can be done without anger. Perhaps so, but there is little doubt that such criminals are by and large angry people. We sometimes read about families being held prisoner as a way of robbing an institution. These tiger kidnappings are well planned and seem cold and calculated without any anger. We can portray them as motivated by greed for money and a determination to get it, but I have little doubt that these perpetrators are angry individuals, because they show little compassion in their behaviour and are willing to hurt and terrify others. We may not always see the anger in such criminals, but, surely it would be a contradiction for a non-angry person to deliberately inflict pain on another, even under serious provocation. If we look at people who behave in a criminal and violent way, and if we look at their background we will generally see the seeds from which the anger and the aggression were bred. Childhood!
Frequently, prior to the aggressive act of injuring another the culprit indulges in verbal aggression or loud threats. Emotional aggression is a different subtype and can also be part of the criminal outlook. It normally occurs when anger reaches such a level that the individual will react aggressively, irrespective of the cost in terms of prosecution. Again, some researchers suggest that this subtype can occur without anger, and may be perpetrated from boredom or for a thrill or from a sense of adventure. My belief is that aggression is always cushioned in anger.
Extract from Understanding and Healing the Hurts of Childhood. Publication 2018
THERAPISTS IN TIPPERARY
PSYCHOTHERAPISTS IN TIPPERARY
COUNSELLING TIPPERARY
DEATH OF A CHILD
ABUSE AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
FEAR
ANGER
JEALOUSY
CHILDHOOD DISTRESS
