Principle 9
❖ We all have different anger set points
A "set point" exists at the moment when anger begins to occur, in its mildest form. It is a reflection of how easily a person is aroused to anger. With a very low set point, a person tends to be quickly and frequently aroused to anger. A high set point means that anger is slower to be aroused. Set points are related to anger action points, the speed at which a person reacts to anger (more on this later).
Temperament, the biological, inherited portion of our personality, can affect the speed and intensity of our anger. Some of us are quick to arouse emotionally. We are quick to feel angry, afraid, happy, and sad. Our friends and acquaintances might describe us as "intense."
The temperamental contributions explain only a small portion of our anger. The shape of our emotion, whether it is anger or joy, depends on experience. The temperamentally intense child is not born angry, just emotional. The intense personality is going to have a greater challenge managing all their strong emotions.
Keep in mind, as well, that emotion is not behavior. We may not be fully in charge of our feelings. Yet we can remain the masters of our actions.