colere

Colère, or anger, is a basic human emotion characterized by a strong feeling of displeasure, antagonism, or hostility in response to perceived wrong, threat, or injustice. It can be a brief reaction or a more persistent trait that predisposes a person to frequent outbursts. The French term colère derives from Latin colera, meaning heat or fever, and by extension anger, reflecting the bodily arousal that accompanies the emotion.

Psychological aspects: Anger arises when a situation is appraised as frustrating or unjust. It involves subjective feelings, cognitive evaluations about cause and intent, and physiological arousal such as increased heart rate and muscle tension. Anger can be expressed openly, suppressed, or redirected, and may range from irritation to rage. It differs from aggression, which refers to potentially harmful behavior, and from mere annoyance, which is milder.

Regulation and social context: Cultural norms shape whether anger is considered appropriate and how it should be expressed. Effective regulation includes cognitive reappraisal, problem-solving, relaxation techniques, and time-outs, as well as assertive communication. Chronic, unmanaged anger can harm health and relationships; appropriate coping strategies can mitigate these effects.

In culture and research: Colère has been a focus in philosophy, literature, and psychology as a driver of action and moral judgment. In psychology, anger is studied with instruments such as the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory (STAXI). Treatments for problematic anger include psychotherapy, anger-management programs, and mindfulness-based approaches.