Self-witnessing Report on the Age of Rage

Discussion

by Gerald L. Lacambra

Theories for Pavement Rage:

• Fundamental attribution error:

I chose to think that the group of kids were walking slowly because of dispositional factors such as being mean and inconsiderate. I could have easily chose to attribute their actions due to situational factors like they may have had a big lunch, injured themselves in physical education class, or they wanted to enjoy the views.

• Stereotype:

I stereotyped the group of teenagers as being young and therefore should be walking quicker than myself, eight years their senior.

• Scapegoating:

I had a full plate in terms of things to get done that day. I was, in other words, stressed and already aggravated. The group of people walking in front of me were an easy, visible, helpless target to displace my anger. They were also disliked by me, at the time, since they obviously had no urgencies in their lives.

• Frustration-aggression theory:

I wanted to get to the bus stop as quick as possible. I absolutely needed to get there, so I would not miss my bus and therefore fail to do my tasks for the day. The group of slow walkers were preventing me from getting there, similar to a traffic jam, and therefore my response turned aggressive by rudely squeezing through and also engaging in negative thoughts directed at the group.

• Social learning theory:

Like Bandura's children, I learned the social behavior of cutting pass slow walkers through social learning. I saw on countless movies where the protagonist either being chased or chasing someone, in other words, being in a rush would without care brush people aside while running or walking on sidewalks.

• Self-fulfilling prophecy:

I thought that since the group of teenagers were walking slowly at around lunchtime, they were playing hooky from school and were walking slow on purpose to be rude. Since I thought that way, I neglected to ask nicely if I could pass them. Since I did not ask them, they continued to walk slowly.

• ABC Model:

I let the antecedent event of walking behind slow walkers while I was in a hurry, be mediated by negative thoughts like "they are doing this on purpose" or "they want to make me slow down." Therefore, the consequences were that I got angry and squeezed through the group ahead of me.

Theories for Neighbor Rage:

• In-group bias

I defined my in-group as my family, and my out-group as my neighbors. Therefore, I had negative feelings toward my neighbors for letting their chickens and dogs cause a nuisance in the early morning when my family sometimes cause a disturbance themselves.

• Fundamental attribution error:

I chose to attribute my neighbors allowing their animals to cause a nuisance due to dispositional factors such as rudeness, and indifference. I could have easily chose to attribute their lack of action due to they being tired themselves or maybe no one was home at the time.

• Stereotype:

I stereotyped neighbors as being kind and considerate like Mr. Rogers or the Brady Bunch, when in reality people are not perfect.

• Scapegoating:

I woke up early and could not get back to sleep. Maybe the noise did not wake me, maybe I just woke up. Regardless, I needed a scapegoat and I chose my neighbors.

• Frustration-aggression theory:

After a week of work, I wanted some rest, being that it was a Saturday. My goal was to get sleep, and I was unable to achieve that goal. Therefore, I had an aggressive response, slamming windows shut, pounding my pillow, and negative thoughts toward my neighbors.

• Social learning theory:

I learned the slamming windows and pounding pillows reaction from television. Frequently, a television character who wakes up too early, would slam his alarm clock or curse.

• ABC Model:

I let the antecedent event of the neighbors' noise in the early morning become mediated by my beliefs, such as "they are intentionally allowing their animals to cause a stir" or "they do not care if people wake up." Those beliefs, then, cause the consequences of me being angry.

Theories for Bus Rage:

• Fundamental attribution error:

I attributed the fact that he was in the way to the alcohol that he may have consumed. I also attributed his consumption of alcohol at 5 p.m. as a sign that he was an alcoholic. I pictured him as a irresponsible, disrespectful malcontent. My beliefs about his character contributed to my rage.

• Stereotype:

I stereotyped people who consume alcohol as alcoholics. Furthermore, I stereotyped alcoholics as irresponsible, disrespectful malcontents. When in reality, people drink for social reasons or to relieve stress as well. I had no clue about what the guy's situation was like. Yet, I allowed myself to use stereotyping to assuage my curiosity about his state.

• Scapegoating:

My appointment with my editor was a waste of time. He did not show up and also did not leave a message with the reception desk. Maybe, subconsciously, I was looking for a scapegoat. Bad thoughts about person manifested into an actual confrontation, and then rage. That is a possibility.

• Frustration-aggression theory:

I wanted to get off the bus, but was blocked from doing so. Frustration led to rage. The guy being asleep or possibly drunk could be irrelevant, just being hindered from leaving the bus frustrated me. If I was seated at the back and could easily leave through the back door of the bus, I would not care if the guy was drunk or not.

• Social learning theory:

I have seen people get up from their seats to allow a person to leave the bus. In fact, I usually get up to allow someone to slide through. I guess that I learned that it was considerate to show people that kindness. So when I was not offered that same kindness, I became frustrated.