In this paper, we sought to understand what physiological factors influence state anger in the hopes of improving awareness of potential triggers. Previous research has predicted that an increase in heart rate, hunger, and headache pain intensity all lead to an increase in state anger. In our correlational study, we tested the strength of these relationships by examining naturalistic daily changes in their variables longitudinally over a period of 11 days. We measured heart rate by reading our pulse for one minute three times a day, and we measured our hunger, headache pain and anger levels by using a Likert scale three times a day. For each variable measured, we added the total of their three daily values together to get an average value for each day. Data pooled across participants in our correlational study showed significant positive correlations of anger with hunger and headache pain, and a significant negative correlation with heart rate. These results provide some insight into what individuals might avoid, such as becoming hungry or not treating a painful headache, to decrease the likelihood of becoming angry.
