Anger: what we know and what we don't want to know. Scientific contributions and social representation

Introduction: Aggressiveness is an essential component of every living thing and the experience of anger is common to all historical periods, all ages and all mental structures. Different forms and narrative ways of anger can be found in each society and can, therefore, become indicators of some aspects of society itself.Method: Starting from the emphasis that our society attributes to forms of anger and violence and their narration as incomprehensible, the scientific contributions on the subject and some characteristics of our culture are highlighted. Our society, on one hand, increases the triggers suitable to trigger anger, on the other silences and disapproves all forms of anger and even aggressiveness.Conclusions: There is a discrepancy between scientific contributions and the representation of anger in the media. The cultural operation for which we focus only on extreme episodes and repress the presence of other universal forms of anger seems to respond not only to the need to make the news but seems to indicate difficulties and defense mechanisms against aggressiveness and anger (potentially healthy and universal). It is also a way of not seeing our social responsibility and is also a missed opportunity to think about effective prevention.