About Anger Control

Summary

Thinking Skills for Anger Control (TSAC) is an innovative and positive curriculum based on the latest research for anger control. The exercises and activities are appropriate for in-school suspension, alternative education, life skills, advisory periods, etc. Counselors find the format excellent for guidance sessions, conferences and discussion groups.

TSAC has l5 exercises and 20 activity sessions.

The exercises and related activities are used in sequence or will stand-alone.

Students affirm self-control and apply their strengths for anger control.

TSAC content is composed of and adjusted to student answers. Students participate without prior learning. All questions are asked for answers of success.

TEACHERS

• A binder is tabbed with 36 pages of exercises and 127 pages of activities.
• A certificate of accomplishment is available for an award ceremony.
• Activities are based on the exercises. They are for small groups and classroom discussions. The instructions detail WHAT TO DO, HOW TO DO IT, WHAT TO SAY. No teacher training is necessary. Student materials are reproducible.

From the Author

Anger is an innocent emotion when appropriate to circumstances and with measured response. However, anger often goes beyond innocence. Rationalization enlarges and justifies harmful responses.

The dangerous consequence of multiplied anger is rage which in the brain skips the reasoning area. One result is a hair-trigger condition that can last for hours or days.

Anger control requires effective timing and inner support. Exploration of anger causes often raises excuses and fuels more anger. The benefit of venting or letting off steam is a myth. A cooling off period that allows disturbed brain chemistry to return to normal is a constructive answer to diminish additional anger outbursts.

Effective education for anger control.

• Regard for others directs violence-pronged individuals to perceive true motives. Studies indicate that people with violent tendencies often assume others are hostile toward them.
• Time for the simplest intervention of anger is before speech or action.
• Positive self talk intervenes anger beginnings.
• Defined goals give persons a purpose to control emotions.

When is anger innocent?

“Anyone can become angry - that is easy. But to be angry with the right person, to the right degree, at the right time, for the right purpose, and in the right way - this is not easy.” - Aristotle, The Nicomachean Ethics

What induces anger?

Anger rises to protect self. Protection from physical injury is obvious. However, protection of the inner self can be overly sensitized by hidden causes. Personally sensitized causes for anger are appropriate to share with a counselor than in a class room with peers.

What discussions of anger are appropriate for the class room?

Constructive responses are replies to questions that are thoughtfully prepared. Students share positions of strength. They discuss appropriate reactions rather than problematic.

Why do students not discuss anger-inducing problems in class?

Students are protected from surfaced anger left unresolved when class is dismissed.

What is the strategy of Thinking Skills for Anger Control?

Self control is developed with skills to generalize emotional control including anger.

Why did the author write Thinking Skills for Anger Control (TSAC)?

Teachers complained that a problem in classroom was students an underlying level of anger. A review of recent literature revealed new research and a shift in attitudes for anger-control. To respond to widespread concern, the author wrote TSAC to accompany Success is a Thinking Skill (SIATS).

What does Thinking Skills for Anger Control (TSAC) accomplish?

1. Students are aware of their power in self-control.
2. New thoughts results in anger control.
3. Students understand that distraction rather than venting soothes anger sooner.
4. They understood they can loose their temper easily when a chemical change is already aroused in their brains by previous anger or stress.

Why do students need new Thinking Skills for Anger Control (TSAC)?

1. New research exposes myths of anger-control.
2. Venting accelerates anger.
3. Attempts to “think through anger” continues and even builds chemical changes in the brain due to anger.
4. The heightened emotions of anger can skip the rational part of the brain and move to rage.
5. Anger-prone students automatically think others have hostile thoughts toward them.
6. Discussions clarify false beliefs.
7. Prepared questions require students to use new processes of thought.

What is the length of TSAC?

• TSAC is published in one volume. The material is in one D-ring binder with two tabs.
• One tab is for exercises. The other is for activities. TSAC has 15 exercises and 20 activity sessions.
• The exercise section has 37 impressions on 19 double-sided pages. The exercises are on cardstock.
• The book has 180 impressions on 91 pages

What is the primary market for Thinking Skills for Anger Control (TSAC)?

• Public schools are the primary market for TSAC. If a school has Success is a Thinking Skill (SIATS), the market is prime. TSAC was released in July, 2000. Presentations continued until July, 2002. TSAC was in 371 sites.
• Elementary, intermediate, middle and high schools, alternative schools, special education and counseling departments.
• Drug prevention, YMCA, juvenile detention centers, juvenile probation, special opportunity centers, special population programs, success academies, and accelerated instruction.
• Vocational training centers for adults with programs such as TRY,Challenge, and Upward Bound.
• Vocational training in colleges for adults. OK A&M College Allied Jobs program is one example.