"Fear Leads To Anger": True Or False?

You may have heard the phrase "fear leads to anger" either on its own or as part of a longer quote. Although frequently repeated, is this concept true? In this article, we explore why people often say fear leads to anger, the origins of a famous quote on the topic, what the research says about fear and anger, and tips for managing anger when it becomes excessive or out of control. If you’re struggling to cope with excessive anger, consider reaching out to a licensed mental health professional for guidance and support.

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Where did the idea that fear leads to anger originate?

It's difficult to pinpoint who first linked fear and anger, as commentary about the two emotions being connected is widespread and often discussed as fact. If you search online about fear and anger, you'll find many people claiming that anger is a "secondary" emotion. The implication of this statement may be that anger only arises when a person tries to avoid primary emotions like sadness or fear.

"Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger."

A well-known movie quote has likely helped popularize the idea that fear leads to anger. This quote was written by George Lucas and spoken by the character Yoda in Star Wars. The full quote says, "Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering." 

Understanding the quote, "Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger."

George Lucas's famous "fear leads to anger" quote can be seen as straightforward. This quote suggests what many people seem to believe, which is that failing to address fear can lead a person down a dark path. People may be tempted to ignore their fear because the sensation of being afraid can be unpleasant. However, the quote suggests that when fear is avoided or ignored, anger may arise instead. 

The quote continues, saying, "anger leads to hate," and "hate leads to suffering." Indeed, experiencing hatred can lead to suffering in many cases, both for the person feeling the emotion and for those who might be on the receiving end of any actions it inspires. 

Therefore, the implication may be that if a person doesn't address their feelings of fear, those feelings can spiral into anger, then hate, and then unnecessary suffering. The ultimate message of this quote could be interpreted as a warning about what could happen if you disregard fear instead of facing and managing it directly.

Research on fear and anger

While George Lucas's quote may resonate with many people, it is a quote from a movie and not a claim arising from scientific research. What does the research on fear and anger say? Various studies have shed light on the various ways in which fear and anger may or may not be connected.

• Both fear and anger are likely threat signals. While updated evidence may be needed, experts suggest that both fear and anger are emotions that arise in response to a perceived threat and help a person adapt in a threatening situation. However, they can result in very different responses to a threat. The expression of anger may aim to change the behavior of someone else, while fear may help the person experiencing it change their behavior in a way that helps them.
• Similar parts of the brain are usually activated during the experiences of fear and anger. A brain activation pattern called the amygdala-hypothalamus-PAG is usually activated during the experiences of both fear and anger. This overlap is likely due to both emotions arising in response to threats, as this is considered the basic brain response to threats. This activation tends to be weaker with fear and greater with anger.
• Anger and fear can be linked to different hormonal patterns. Although brain activation appears to be similar in both anger and fear, hormone patterns tend to differ. While more recent evidence may be needed, anger can lead to an increase in the hormone cortisol, but no increase in proinflammatory cytokines. In contrast, fear may lead to decreased cortisol and increased proinflammatory cytokines.
• Anger and fear may both be basic emotions. While anger is often described as a secondary emotion, many experts suggest that anger is a basic emotion. Because infants typically display fear, experts have long assumed fear is a basic emotion. Some experts say anger doesn't usually appear until the second year of life, so whether it is a basic emotion has been debated. However, evidence suggests that anger is a basic emotion because of its role in the threat response, which can be key to survival, and other experts suggest anger arises within an infant's first six months.
• Witnessing anger can prompt fear or anger.Studies have found that when people watch someone else become angry, it can trigger their own threat response. Observing anger in someone else may lead a person to feel either angry or fearful.
• Witnessing anger and fear may lead to different behaviors. Anger may lead to more aggressive behavior (the "fight" in the "fight-or-flight" response), while fear may lead to more defensive or protective behavior (the "flight" in the "fight-or-flight" response). One study found that witnessing fear and anger can have opposite effects when it comes to risk taking. People usually took more risks after viewing an angry face and fewer risks after viewing a fearful face.
• Fear can amplify anger and aggressive behavior.One study found that after people were primed for anger, experiencing fear typically increased anger and aggression. In contrast, experiencing sadness after being primed for anger usually reduced anger and aggression.
• Facing fear and anger may reduce pain. At times, chronic pain may stem from or be exacerbated by a person's emotions and the way they process them. Some research suggests that addressing primary emotions, including both fear and anger, may lead to a reduction in chronic pain.

What causes anger?

While the idea that fear causes anger may resonate with many people, the research summarized above seems to paint a more complex picture than that. 

Instead of showing a simple cause-and-effect relationship between fear and anger, these studies suggest that, like fear, anger is a basic emotion that arises in response to threats, yet the two may lead to different threat response behaviors. 

More research is likely needed to clarify what determines when a person responds to a threat with anger instead of fear, as well as whether a fear response can precede or turn into an anger response.

Anger and mental health

A quick online search on anger suggests that many people view it as a "negative" emotion. However, anger can have both positive and negative effects. When a person experiences constructive anger, it may motivate them to take action, perceive that tasks they want to do can be done with ease, and increase optimism, expectations, and the ability to cope. 

That said, research also identifies several downsides to anger, or, at least, to excessive anger. High levels of anger can be associated with health risks, whether a person expresses or represses that anger. Anger is also part of the diagnostic criteria for five mental illnesses listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), including bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, intermittent explosive disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, and disruptive mood dysregulation disorder.

In addition, anger has also been linked to substance misuse, which can, in turn, be associated with a variety of consequences for mental and physical health.

Tips for managing anger

If you experience anger at times, keep in mind that it can be a normal emotion that nearly everyone experiences, and it can even provide benefits. Some people may want to rid themselves of anger completely because of how unpleasant it can feel, but this goal isn't feasible for most and might not be healthy. 

However, if your thoughts dwell on anger, or your anger becomes excessive, out of control, or leads to aggression, then learning effective anger management strategies may be a good idea. Research has found multiple ways to manage anger.

Count to 10

Counting might sound like a silly way to manage anger, but research suggests it works. If you are tempted to react to anger, count to 10. If you're still immensely angry, count to 100. By simply diverting your attention and giving yourself time, you may allow your body to relax and get out of the fight-or-flight response that may lead to saying or doing something you'd regret.

Breathe deeply

Taking slow, deep breaths may calm the nervous system's threat response and turn the dial down on anger. You may try deep breathing on your own or follow a guided meditation practice. If you don't want to attend in-person meditation classes, there are many free guided meditation recordings available online.

Engage in gentle movement

Gentle movement may reduce the nervous system's threat response. Yoga and tai chi are two popular options that many people find calming. On a day of increased anger, you can take classes in person or find free recordings online.

Skip anger-releasing techniques

Sometimes people attempt to manage anger by "releasing" it. For example, when you were a child, you may have been encouraged to punch a pillow or scream into a pillow. Research has investigated the effectiveness of anger-releasing techniques like hitting a punching bag, going for a jog, or venting to a friend, and found that they aren't usually effective at managing anger. The true path for anger management seems to be relaxing the nervous system's threat response rather than engaging in activities that might further activate it.

Therapy for anger

If other management techniques aren't enough, therapy is available for people experiencing anger. Remote therapy generally allows a person to discuss their anger and its ramifications from the convenience of the location of their choice. BetterHelp is a remote therapy platform that may pair you with a therapist in as little as 48 hours.

Research on therapy for anger and mental health

A 2023 study with 54 participants who had both anger and chronic pain compared remote cognitive behavioral affective therapy (CBAT) with emotional education. People who received remote therapy twice a week for four weeks generally experienced a greater reduction in anger symptoms compared to those who didn't. The intensity, frequency, and duration of anger were all reduced among people who received remote therapy. 

Takeaway

Many people believe that anger is a "secondary" emotion that arises when "primary" emotions, like fear, aren't faced. In Star Wars, Yoda had a line written by George Lucas that contained the phrase, "fear leads to anger," which may have helped popularize this concept. While fear and anger do seem to be closely connected, research suggests their relationship is more complex than simple cause-and-effect. Both are threat responses that can lead to different ways of responding to a threatening situation. If you’re experiencing excessive anger, online and in-person therapy are evidence-based treatment options that may be helpful.