Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Semester of Degree Completion

2002

Thesis Director

Douglas Bock

Abstract

The following research investigates whether black and white populations have divergent perceptions of anger and anger expressions in black and white males. A great deal of the research to follow concerns itself with exploring what anger is and how it is delineated. What becomes readily apparent is that anger is a complex component of human experience. There is general agreement that culture and environment are important components in anger expression. The purpose of this research is three fold: 1. Investigate the definition of anger. 2. Investigate whether black and white populations view anger differently and if so how, and 3. Determine whether the existence of this difference is quantifiable. The primary goal of the literature review is not to make arguments, though there are some extrapolations that can be made relating to the thesis and research questions. The primary purpose is to provide background information on the nature and complexity of anger, and how those complexities impact the research questions and thesis. The results of the quantitative research demonstrate that black and white populations diverge on anger perceptions in white and black males. The data indicates blacks view anger in a much more complex perspective than whites. Blacks are more inclined to examine reasons why anger occurs before attributing value to its validity of expression more than whites.

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