Facial Expressions--Anger

Did you think I had died? Nope, just super busy. Sorry to leave you hanging after starting the Facial Expressions series. Here is the next installment.

Anger

Emotional Competency states it this way--Anger is a strong emotion designed to send the clear message “something has got to change”. It is an urgent plea for justice and action. (All of the following is summarized from that website.)

Words to describe the range of emotional anger: annoyance, irritation, aggravation, agitation, frustration, peeved, annoyed, miffed, sulking, offended, bitter, indignation, exasperation, incensed, pissed, outrage, hostile, spite, vengefulness, resentment, wrath, rage, fury, ferocity, and livid


What does it look like?
An angry expression sends the clear signal: back off, I am prepared to attack.

• Eyebrows pulled down together,
• Wide open, glaring eyes,
• Upper eyelids raised in a stare,
• Lips wide open to form a rectangle, or
• tightly closed with the red margins of the lips becoming more narrow, and the lips becoming thinner.

Physiological Responses

You actually feel anger, partially as a result of these involuntary changes in your body:

• Increased heart rate,
• increased blood pressure,
• reddened face,
• tensed muscles,
• a tendency to move forward, toward the target of the anger.

Expressions of Anger

• Shouting, raised voice, threatened or actual violence.
• Passive withdrawal, stonewalling, lack of cooperation, sabotage, revenge.
• Throwing a tantrum—a violent and objectionable demonstration of rage or frustration that is often considered quite childish.

Interesting links:

• 50 Facial expressions and how to draw them
• Take a test to see if you can tell a real smile from a fake smile HERE. I'm so good I got 17 out of 20 correct! Thank you Lie to Me.
• The Bookshelf Muse--Anger