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Guilherme Mazui

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What is the Difference Between Hurt and Anger?

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The main difference between hurt and anger lies in their emotional responses and social functions:

  • Hurt:
  1. Reflects a desire to maintain interpersonal connection and repair relationships.
  2. Characterized by the experience of commitment, dependence, and vulnerability.
  3. Goals to restore the perpetrator's acceptance and elicit constructive behavior.
  4. Positive consequences for relationships.
  • Anger:
  1. Reflects a desire to control others via antagonistic destructive behaviors.
  2. Exacerbates interpersonal difficulties.
  3. Characterized by the experience of invulnerability and low dependence.

Hurt is generally associated with feelings of commitment, dependence, and vulnerability, while anger is characterized by feelings of invulnerability and low dependence. Hurt often leads to constructive behavior and positive consequences for relationships, whereas anger can result in antagonistic and destructive behaviors that exacerbate interpersonal difficulties.

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  • What is the Difference Between Hurt and Anger?
  • Comparative Table: Hurt vs Anger

    • Comparative Table: Hurt vs Anger

    Hurt and anger are two different emotions that are often connected but have distinct characteristics. Here is a table outlining the differences between hurt and anger:

    Feature Hurt Anger
    Definition Hurt refers to causing or feeling pain. Anger is a strong feeling of displeasure, often viewed as the outlet of hurt.
    Core Attribute The core attribute of hurt is unexpectedness, often alongside a perception that your relationship is devalued. It also involves a feeling of low power or control of the situation. Anger is an appraisal of unfairness and injustice. The core feeling is that 'something isn't right, I feel exploited'.
    Connection Anger is often the outcome of hurt. Hurt and anger are separate emotions, but they are related and often occur together.
    Expression Hurt is generally expressed through emotions such as sadness, disappointment, or betrayal. Anger is often expressed through frustration, aggression, or hostility.

    In summary, hurt is an emotion that involves causing or feeling pain and is often characterized by feelings of low power or control. On the other hand, anger is a strong feeling of displeasure that arises from experiences of unfairness and injustice. Hurt is often the precursor to anger, and while they are distinct emotions, they are frequently connected and experienced together.

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    Guilherme Mazui

    Guilherme Mazui is graduated in journalism from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and a master's degree in Communication from the University of São Paulo (USP). In addition, he has experience in advertising writing and has worked as a content editor in several companies.