What is the Difference Between Frustration and Anger?

Frustration and anger are both natural human emotions, but they differ in their characteristics and responses. Here are the key differences between the two:

1. Source of emotion: Frustration is a dissatisfaction with specific situations, often resulting from the inability to change or achieve something. Anger, on the other hand, is a response to situations where we feel offended, wronged, or exposed to injustice, humiliation, or illness.
2. Intensity and expression: Frustration is a slow, steady response that builds inside and does not show to the outside, while anger is a more explosive emotion that can be expressed verbally or physically. Frustration is often felt as a mix of feeling hopeless, discouraged, sad, and disappointed. Anger is a strong feeling of annoyance, displeasure, or hostility.
3. Control: People usually need to exert some control or restraint in the way they express anger, while frustration is less likely to cause a profound effect or result in aggression.

To summarize, frustration is a quiet, building emotion that often results from the inability to achieve or change something, while anger is a stronger, more explosive emotion that can lead to hostility and aggression. Both emotions are normal and can be managed through healthy coping skills and understanding their root causes.

Comparative Table: Frustration vs Anger

Here is a table comparing the differences between frustration and anger:

In summary, frustration is a slower, more internalized response to a specific disappointment or unmet expectation, while anger is a quicker, more aggressive response to feeling offended or wronged. Frustration is more difficult to detect, while anger is more immediately identifiable in a person's body language. Both emotions can have negative effects on an individual's well-being, but they differ in their origins and manifestations.