Cranky? On a diet? How self-control leads to anger

People who make an effort to exert self-control are attracted to aggressive art and public policy appeals, according to a new study in the Journal of Consumer Research. They also don't appreciate messages that nag them to control their behavior.

"We set out to examine whether exerting self-control can indeed lead to a wide range of angry behaviors and preferences subsequently, even in situations where such behaviors are quite subtle," write authors David Gal (Northwestern University) and Wendy Liu (University of California San Diego).

"Research has shown that exerting self-control makes people more likely to behave aggressively toward others and people on diets are known to be irritable and quick to anger," the authors explain. The researchers found that people who exerted self-control were more likely to prefer anger-themed movies, were more interested in looking at angry facial expressions, were more persuaded by anger-framed appeals, and expressed more irritation at a message that used controlling language to convince them to change their exercise habits.

In one study, people who choose an apple instead of a chocolate bar were more likely to choose movies with anger and revenge themes than milder movies.

In another study, participants who exerted financial restraint by choosing a gift certificate for groceries over one for a spa service showed more interest in looking at angry faces rather than at fearful ones.

In a third experiment, dieters had more favorable opinions toward a public policy message that used an anger-framed appeal (if funds are not increased for police training, more criminals will escape prison) than they did toward a sad message.

Finally, participants who chose a healthy snack over a tastier, less-healthy one were more irritated by a marketer's message that included controlling language (words such as "you ought to," "need to," and "must").

"Public policy makers need to be more aware of the potential negative emotions resulting from encouraging the public to exert more self control in daily choices," the authors write. "Instead behavioral interventions might rely on a broader range of methods to foster positive behaviors toward long-term goals."

More information: David Gal and Wendy Liu. "Grapes of Wrath: The Angry Effects of Exerting Self-Control." Journal of Consumer Research: October 2011.

http://www.physorg.com/news/2011-03...trol-anger.html

Strange that an item like this hits the newspapers only now. One would think it common knowledge...

Cranky? On a diet? How self-control leads to anger

People who make an effort to exert self-control are attracted to aggressive art and public policy appeals, according to a new study in the Journal of Consumer Research. They also don't appreciate messages that nag them to control their behavior.

"We set out to examine whether exerting self-control can indeed lead to a wide range of angry behaviors and preferences subsequently, even in situations where such behaviors are quite subtle," write authors David Gal (Northwestern University) and Wendy Liu (University of California San Diego).

"Research has shown that exerting self-control makes people more likely to behave aggressively toward others and people on diets are known to be irritable and quick to anger," the authors explain. The researchers found that people who exerted self-control were more likely to prefer anger-themed movies, were more interested in looking at angry facial expressions, were more persuaded by anger-framed appeals, and expressed more irritation at a message that used controlling language to convince them to change their exercise habits.

In one study, people who choose an apple instead of a chocolate bar were more likely to choose movies with anger and revenge themes than milder movies.

In another study, participants who exerted financial restraint by choosing a gift certificate for groceries over one for a spa service showed more interest in looking at angry faces rather than at fearful ones.

In a third experiment, dieters had more favorable opinions toward a public policy message that used an anger-framed appeal (if funds are not increased for police training, more criminals will escape prison) than they did toward a sad message.

Finally, participants who chose a healthy snack over a tastier, less-healthy one were more irritated by a marketer's message that included controlling language (words such as "you ought to," "need to," and "must").

"Public policy makers need to be more aware of the potential negative emotions resulting from encouraging the public to exert more self control in daily choices," the authors write. "Instead behavioral interventions might rely on a broader range of methods to foster positive behaviors toward long-term goals."

That is fascinating. Is it just the aspect of the study that so much of it was food related? Though the incident with the gift certificate shows it's universal.

I was watching Gabor Mate videos last night and I think it was in this one
Brain Development & Addiction with Gabor Mate
he relates how he recognised that his own personal failure to relating to exerting self-control led to a more aggressive response in dealing with his addicted patients and how counter-productive it was.
I think a lot of eating behaviours are the result of brain/mental health problems and I suspect our failure to recognise the fact that our guts affect our brains and vice versa. I think if we concentrate only on calories/carbohydrates /food intakes and exercise, we ignore the role of the brain.

Larry McCleary Brain~Belly connection

Friday Caveman Question:

Why would two marketing professors give the advice they give to consumers and policymakers?

The full report: http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....ract_id=1749711 (One-Click Download)

This is an interesting, non-technical read for us layfolks. No math. They talk about Angry Birds and The Three Musketeers.

I agree, and problem eating leads to brain/mental problems that lead to problem eating.
Also, better eating leads to brain/mental health which leads to better eating.

I can either spiral down or up depending on food choices, as I found out.

Keeping a high omega 3 intake is the best way of dealing with the inflammation in the brain that is associated with depression. Having a high omega 3 status also leads to better and faster communication between the two sides of the brain. We have one part of the brain that creates ideas and impulses which should be checked/monitored/counterbalanced by the other side of the brain. If the communication between the two is poor/slow then the "off" switch that regulates behaviour simply doesn't operate.
That's when we give into temptation, act violently or aggressively and harm ourselves or others. Hibbeln JR has been studying this for longer than most but there is plenty of other research to support his findings.