A theory of mind-focused approach to anger management

Abstract

Patients with anger management problems tend to be unreflective patients who externalize blame for their problems with impulse control. This resistance to self-reflection may be symptomatic of such patients implicitly utilizing a primitive theory of mind that reflects psychic equivalence, the pretend mode, and the teleologic stance in comprehending the mental states of others as well as themselves, especially when angry. A theory of mind focus can help patients better manage their dysregulated anger by putting narcissistic insult in broader perspective and better empathize with the mental states of others by utilizing a more sophisticated theory of mind. This article illustrates a novel integrative approach to anger management that helps patients better understand the logic of the conflict diffusing communication strategies recommended by behavioral marital therapists by contextualizing those strategies in terms of a more sophisticated theory of mind. © 2014 American Psychological Association.