Yurchenko N.I. Review of the Dembo’s dissertation «Der Ärger als dynamisches Problem»

A review is provided of the dissertation by the American psychologist Tamara Dembo, titled “Der Ärger als dynamisches Problem” (“Anger as a Dynamic Problem”). Dembo proposes a new approach to the study of emotions, viewing them not as static phenomena but as processes dependent on situational factors and internal psychological mechanisms. The work analyzes experimental studies conducted between 1925 and 1928, which examined participants' reactions to artificially created situations designed to provoke irritation and anger. Particular attention is given to the methodologies of “Ring Tossing” and the “Flower Experiment”, which demonstrate how anger develops gradually in response to obstacles in achieving a goal.

Dembo identifies several stages in the development of anger: from initial attempts to complete a task to affective reactions such as throwing objects or leaving the room. She also employs the concept of situational topology, analyzing emotional reactions through the lens of force fields that include the goal, internal and external barriers, and tension. These elements shape human behavior, and if an obstacle cannot be overcome, tension accumulates, potentially leading to an emotional outburst.

The work also explores various types of reactions to frustration, including real, unrealistic, and substitute solutions. Dembo emphasizes that emotional reactions depend on multiple factors, including the perception of obstacles and the role of the experimenter. She notes that under conditions of strong frustration, participants may transfer their irritation to the experimenter, leading to conflicts.

Although the experiments were conducted in laboratory settings, Dembo argues that the identified patterns are universal and can be applied to real-life situations. Her work represents a significant contribution to understanding the mechanisms underlying the emergence and development of emotional reactions, as well as their impact on human behavior.

Key words: anger, frustration, emotions, topological psychology, experimental research

For citation: Yurchenko, N.I. (2025). Review of the Dembo’s dissertation «Der Ärger als dynamisches Problem», New Psychological Research, No. 1, 275–292. DOI: 10.51217/npsyresearch_2025_05_01_13

Acknowledgment

The article was prepared within a state task, project FNRE-2024-0016 “Psychological effects of digitalization of the educational environment: opportunities for cognitive and personal development and socialization risks”.