Anger Iceberg
What is the emotion we see on the "top" of the anger iceberg?
Anger
What is an anger trigger?
Something that causes or contributes to feelings of anger.
What is usually the first step in the cycle of anger?
A trigger or situation occurs.
True or False: You can control how other people behave.
False
True or False: Anger is always a bad emotion.
False. Anger is a normal emotion that can provide information about what we're experiencing.
Name one emotion that could be hiding underneath anger.
Hurt, sadness, fear, embarrassment, disappointment, anxiety, etc.
Name one common anger trigger for teens.
Being ignored, feeling disrespected, conflict with friends or family, school stress, losing, being embarrassed, etc.
After a trigger, what can influence how angry you become?
Your thoughts or interpretation of the situation.
What is one thing you can always control?
Your own choices, actions, attitude, or response.
True or False: You can feel angry without acting aggressively.
True.
Someone gets angry and yells after being left out of their friend's plans. What might be underneath their anger?
Hurt, sadness, rejection, or feeling left out.
Your friend reads your message but doesn't respond for hours. What is one possible trigger?
Feeling ignored, rejected, or unimportant.
Put these in the correct order: Reaction, Trigger, Thoughts, Feelings/Body Signs.(write on the board)
Trigger → Thoughts → Feelings/Body Signs → Reaction.
Your friend is ignoring your texts. Is this something you can control or can't control?
You can't control whether they respond, but you can control how you respond to the situation.
True or False: Everyone has the same anger triggers.
False. Triggers are different for everyone.
Why might someone show anger instead of the emotion they are really feeling underneath?
Anger can feel easier to express, may feel more protective, or the person may not recognize the underlying emotion.
True or false. The same situation be a trigger for one person but not another. Why?
True Everyone has different experiences, thoughts, and triggers
At what point in the anger cycle is it usually easiest to intervene and use a coping skill?
As early as possible—when you notice the trigger, thoughts, or early physical/emotional warning signs—before the anger escalates.
Someone says something rude to you. Name one thing you can't control and one thing you can control.
Can't control: What they said or their behavior. Can control: Your response, what you say, or whether you walk away.
True or False: Taking a break from an argument can be a healthy coping strategy if you plan to return to the conversation.
True.
Someone says, "I don't care!" after their friend stops talking to them. What emotion might actually be underneath their anger, and why?
They may be feeling hurt, rejected, sad, or disappointed because they care about the relationship.
You're already stressed from school, tired, and frustrated. Someone makes a small joke about you, and you suddenly become very angry. Why might your reaction be stronger than usual?
Your stress and frustration were already building, so the joke added to your emotional load and pushed your anger higher.
Someone thinks, "They did that on purpose!" after being bumped in the hallway. How might this thought affect their anger?
It could increase their anger by making them believe the person intentionally disrespected them.
You get a bad grade on a test and feel angry. Identify two things you cannot control and two things you can control.
Can't control: The grade you already received, how difficult the test was.
Can control: How you respond, whether you ask for help, how you prepare for the next test, or what you do differently next time.
True or False: You have no control over what happens after you become angry because your emotions control your actions.
False. You may not always control your emotions, but you can learn to control how you respond to them.