AMQ - R2 (Anger Management Questionnaire - 2nd Revision) Sample Report

Angry Behavior In Various Situations

Anger Management Styles

Healthy Expresser

Stormy Expresser

Attacker

Damager

Denier

Displacer

Sublimater

Transcender

Below you will find a list of Sample's predominant anger styles in a variety of situations. If you see a red flag beside a type, it signals a warning. This implies that the style he is using is extreme or unhealthy for that particular situation. If there is a yellow flag beside a style, it signals a potential problem. This implies that the style Sample is using could potentially be harmful or may not be the most productive way of dealing with his anger. If his style receives a green flag, it indicates that the style he is using is appropriate. To learn more about the different anger management styles, please review the Details section.

Overall Dominant Styles

The following anger management styles are the ones that Sample uses most frequently when he encounters anger-inducing situations.

Anger by Emotional Intensity of Situation

What it Measures

Extent to which Sample displays anger in situations of extreme, moderate, and benign intensity. A situation that is extreme would most likely incite a strong reaction. A moderate situation would result in a less intense overt response, while a benign one would likely result in a very mild response (or no response at all) in most people.

What it Means

Sample's results indicate that his response in anger-inducing situations doesn't fit the circumstances. That is, in situations where most people would respond angrily, he chooses to keep his cool, and in circumstances where most people would likely be calm and civil, his reaction is intense and even excessive. Overall, his response is quite disproportionate.

On a positive note, Sample is willing to "bury the hatchet" once issues are resolved. He faces conflicts head on, but won't keep re-hashing them.

Dominant Styles

Extreme Situations	Moderate Situations	Benign Situations
Sublimater	Sublimater Denier	Displacer Transcender Attacker Healthy Expresser Stormy Expresser

Anger by Seriousness of Consequences of Situations

What it Measures

Extent to which Sample experiences anger in situations that have either long-term or short-term consequences. A situation of long-term importance is one that has a lasting effect on person's life - it could have a serious emotional impact, damage a relationship, or require a major change in lifestyle. A situation of short-term importance is one that has no lasting impact on a person's life - it is only a problem at the moment or in the immediate future. Whether a situation has short or long-term consequences, it doesn't seem to affect Sample's behavior - there doesn't appear to be anything that bothers him. He rarely, if ever, responds with anger, even in situations that would have long-term consequences on his life.

Dominant Styles

Situations with Long-term Consequences	Situations with Short-term Consequences
Sublimater Healthy Expresser Displacer Stormy Expresser Denier Transcender	Sublimater

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Anger Management Styles - Descriptions

In the section below, you will find the different anger management styles covered in this test. Review the ones that Sample uses most frequently, and pay particular attention to their advantages and disadvantages. If his results have indicated that he tends to use unhealthy anger styles more frequently (i.e. he received a lot of red and yellow flags), it would be a good idea to review healthier ways to express his anger.

Sublimater

Sublimaters convert their anger, much as Displacers do, but with a healthy twist. People with this type will often channel their anger through a positive outlet, using their excess energy to do something constructive. They attempt to turn "lemons into lemonade".

Important points to note about this type:

• Sublimaters are generally level-headed individuals who rarely get lost in the torrent of emotion.
• Their anger can be converted into creative energy, whether in the form of a home-cooked meal, poem, or a work of art.
• Unfortunately, sublimation is not always a healthy response to anger. Sublimaters may not deal with the anger-inducing situation directly - if there's an element of denial, it is not healthy. However, if they recognize their anger, ponder it, own it and then channel it, this is the better alternative.

Denier

Deniers will do their best to control both their internal response and outward behavior when dealing with anger. They will consciously calm themselves when they begin to feel angry or frustrated, and generally have a great deal of self-control. In order to deal with their anger, Deniers will change the way they think about the incident or put a new spin on it if necessary. People with this type can change their outlook so thoroughly that they completely overlook relevant facts, often denying or choosing to overlook the reality of the situation.

When dealing with frustrating or anger-inducing situations, Deniers may adopt an extremely optimistic attitude. This can be a healthy approach if having a positive attitude is warranted. For example, in benign situations or those with short-term consequences, a positive outlook is rather helpful, allowing the individual to overlook issues that are of minute importance. In high-charge situations or those with serious long-term consequences however, an optimistic attitude may not prove constructive. Excessive or unrealistic optimism can set the Denier up for some heartbreaking disappointment. Deniers may also use distraction as a means of dealing with anger, focusing on something other than the anger-inducing situation. This too has its advantages and disadvantages, depending on the gravity of the situation.

Important points to note about this type:

• It is generally not productive to deny or ignore issues that incite anger particularly if they have long-term consequences. Denial has long been touted as an unhealthy method of dealing with problems.
• Since Deniers have a tendency towards suppressing their emotions, they often end up with a lot of pent-up rage and frustration. This can either result in the occasional sarcastic comment, or an all-out explosion. Even if some Deniers manage to keep it all in, pent-up anger will likely wreak some serious damage to their mental and physical health.

Transcender

Transcenders refuse to make a big deal of things; they simply do not get worked up over issues of minor and even major importance.

In low-charge situations, a transcendent approach can be very healthy. By relinquishing attachment to the little things and putting conflict into perspective, a lot of arguments can be prevented. For example, why blow up at your partner for forgetting to take out the garbage? If you have no attachment or personal interest vested in the garbage, you can simply let it go. However, when it comes to emotionally complex relationships and profound issues, a transcendent approach might not prove beneficial. If, for example, you can't relate to another person's feelings of anger about something you consider insignificant, they may feel as though you don't care. Conflicts and issues must be dealt with at one point or another.

Important points to note about this type are:

• It can be healthy when the anger-inducing situation is trivial and unimportant to all parties involved.
• It's useful for maintaining perspective on what is truly important in life.
• It keeps stress levels at a minimum.
• Others may attempt to take advantage of the Transcender if he/she is too laidback.
• Loved ones might feel neglected or convinced that the Transcender doesn't care because nothing seems to elicit a reaction in him/her.

Displacer

Displacers are people who deal with anger by converting it into something else which, unfortunately, may not be very productive. People with this type tend to suppress or re-direct their anger through harmful channels, often leaving outsiders surprised, hurt, confused, frustrated or feeling angry themselves.

Displacers may use one or many of the following displacement tactics:

• Converting anger into tardiness or procrastination: Displacers may not deal with the anger-inducing situation directly, but on a subconscious level, their frustration could come out in a different form. Example: You are mad at your boss so you show up late to an evening engagement with a friend. In this situation, you are not angry with your friend but have redirected your anger towards him/her (possibly without even knowing it).
• Redirecting anger onto others: Displacers may also turn their angry feelings onto the wrong person, someone who is not associated with the anger-inducing situation. Friends and family members often provide this outlet, involuntarily becoming the Displacers' proverbial scapegoat or verbal punching bag. Displacers can also take their anger out on strangers, in the form of rudeness or road rage.
• Converting anger into passive aggressive behaviors: Displacers may choose (consciously or not) to turn their anger into passive aggressive behaviors. The passive aggressive individual hides his/her true feelings, allowing the resentment and discontent to come out in other ways. In personal relationships, this is often referred to as "playing games". For example, you're upset with your partner's behavior at a party, but instead of bringing up the issue, you simply chose to punish him/her by withholding affection.

Healthy Expresser

This type of anger manager, as indicated by the name, is the healthiest option in all situations. Healthy Expressers address their feelings of anger by dealing with the root of the problem. They recognize when and why they feel angry and then set out to change or deal with the situation in the best way possible. Healthy Expressers will try to identify what they need to do or discover in order to reduce their feelings of anger.

Central to healthy expression is the ability to assert one's own needs without hurting anyone else in the process. Healthy expression is a high standard and though most people try to reach it, it can prove to be quite an elusive goal.

A person should not be upset if he or she was not a Healthy Expresser in every situation on this test. The Healthy Expresser type is something to strive for whenever a person is faced with situations that stir up feelings of anger.

Important points to note about this type:

• Healthy Expressers are direct but tactful when communicating their anger.
• Emotional control is essential.
• Although Healthy Expressers are comfortable asserting themselves and expressing their needs, they are also willing to hear other people out.

Attacker

When angry, Attackers will often respond with physical violence against others. These individuals are aggressive, hostile and intimidating, and may even take out their anger on people who aren't even associated with the anger-inducing situation. Attackers lash out at others in an attempt to harm or cause pain. For some Attackers, their behavior is a form of catharsis; a method to release the energy that is created by their anger.

Important points to note about this type:

• People have little respect for Attackers; they are often seen as individuals who have no control over their emotions or as childish/immature bullies. Violence is rarely, if ever, the answer.
• Many Attackers end up feeling guilty and embarrassed by their behavior after the fury has subsided.
• Attackers can get into serious trouble. Many with this type may find themselves facing jail, fines, and restraining orders.
• They may have grown up seeing this behavior and therefore, assume that it is a normal and acceptable way of expressing anger or have not learned more appropriate methods of doing so.
• Attackers tend to have a strong desire for control. Instilling fear or intimidating others is their means to achieve it.

Stormy Expresser

Stormy Expressers tend to deal with their rage vocally. In anger-inducing situations, it is not uncommon to find them yelling and screaming their displeasure. When consumed with feelings of anger, people with this type will not hold back; they'll let it all out. For Stormy Expressers, it's a form of catharsis - an attempt to get rid of their anger by means of a verbal assault (insults, sarcasm, etc.). Although they may be able to identify the root of their anger, unlike Healthy Expressers, they do not assert their needs in a manner that resolves the problem effectively and unfortunately, will often end up hurting other people's feelings.

Stormy Expression is almost always an ineffective method for dealing with anger in most situations. Venting may feel good, but it tends to have a lot of negative consequences. Little is accomplished when voices are raised, as a verbal assault will either result in defensiveness on the part of the listener, or an all-out screaming match.

Important points to note about this type:

• It's a form of expression that is not socially desirable.
• It can be extremely destructive when used in relationships.
• In most cases, the Stormy Expresser ends up looking impetuous.
• Unchecked anger can result in a loose tongue; Stormy Expressers may end up saying something that they'll regret.
• In certain (but rare) circumstances, this type can be useful when dealing with people who only listen when they're being yelled at. Caution must be used however, as raising your voice is seldom the most effective way of getting someone's attention.

Damager

Damagers will often express their anger by destroying objects around them. They seem to want to cause harm but generally have enough self-control not to unleash their anger on people (unless their type is a combination Damager-Attacker). For those with this type, it's not as simple a matter as beating on a punching bag - Damagers want to cause harm to property - and not necessarily the possessions of those who have angered them. They aren't just letting off steam; they actually feel better (or think they will) if they see something scratched, busted, bent, or completely destroyed.

Important points to note about this type:

• Damagers tend to have limited self-control.
• They are often left feeling embarrassed by their behavior as well as stuck paying a hefty price for the destruction they've caused.
• They may have grown up seeing this behavior and therefore, assume that it is a normal and acceptable way of expressing anger or have not learned more appropriate methods of doing so.

Advice made available with actual full reports only.