What you need to know about indignation
The Psychology Of Indignation
Indignation is a tough psychological state to manage. I discuss the meaning of this concept, how it can affect your life, and what you can do about it.
In this article:
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Indignation meaning
Indignation is:
A form of anger triggered by unjust circumstances.
Two key points emerge from this definition:
We are dealing with an unpleasant or difficult emotion.
An evaluation of a situation triggers this state.
Unwanted emotions are a totally unavoidable fact of life. The way we respond to these states has a bearing on well-being. So, it pays to reflect on how you react to anger. More on this later.
As with all emotions, indignation/anger has a thinking or cognitive aspect (along with physiological and behavioural components). This concept is more than just a reactive emotion of anger. Therefore, thoughts influence if, and how much, indignation is triggered.
What is an example of indignation?
The teacher became indignant when fired from their job for misconduct.
The customers are indignant because their flight has been cancelled.
He suffered the indignity of being the last pick for the team.
The Washington Post editor made his indignation known when the story was run without his permission.
Righteous indignation
Righteous indignation introduces a moral element to this emotion. To be righteous is to position yourself as morally 'correct'. Another term for this concept is therefore righteous anger.
In other words, a state of righteous indignation effectively says, 'I am right to be angry about this situation'. However, morality is not reality. People vary in their beliefs and attitudes about life's rights and wrongs. Therefore, righteous indignation is typically murky territory as people assert their opinions.
Indignant synonym
Related words may give you a better feel for indignation. A few synonyms include:
Resentful
Hurt
Annoyed
Offended
Peeved
Disgruntled
Pissed off
These words convey the themes of anger and the perception of wrongdoing.
Indignity
The word indignity refers to a loss of dignity. This reaction can occur from mistreatment, insult or malice (perceived or actual). While a person may react with anger/indignation at injustice, loss of self-respect and feelings of humiliation can also follow.
Here, we are moving into more complicated psychological territory. But, such reactions emphasise the need to take indignation seriously. Feeling embarrassed, humiliated, or devalued has clear implications for mental health and performance in key domains (e.g., work).
Performance and wellbeing
Indignation/anger may be a completely justified emotional response to bad behaviour. However, it can be difficult to make wise responses when your body is in fight mode. Strong, difficult emotions easily lead to impulsive responses that you later regret. From a performance perspective, prioritise calming the body. This will help bring your problem-solving brain back online. You are likely to make better decisions from this position of balance.
I have concerns for a person’s wellbeing when they are subjected to an injustice that is ongoing and/or triggers a strong negative reaction (e.g., feeling humiliated). You should seek additional support in these circumstances. One-off ‘annoyances’ are unlikely to cause significant issues. More serious events can create problems that need attention (e.g., reduced self-confidence, anxiety).
What can I do about indignation?
Having a strategy for indignation may help reduce the risk of overreaction. Here are some suggestions to encourage a healthy response to indignation and sense of injustice:
Check your response to this emotional state
Emotions exist for a reason. They have evolved as a means to gain your attention and motivate action. Imagine if you were suddenly unable to experience any feelings. You would likely become a motionless blob, utterly disinterested in the world around you.
We need emotions to function, and we are hard-wired to experience them. However, some people label particular (often negative) emotions as wrong, harmful, or unacceptable. So now you have to deal with an unpleasant emotion AND an unhelpful evaluation.
Attitude is key. Try viewing indignation as an important signal from the body. This creates an opportunity to study and learn from the emotion. The technique notice, name, and normalise can be employed here.
Check your interpretation
Because we are dealing with subjective concepts such as perceptions, evaluations, and morals, it pays to reflect on our thinking. This safeguard reduces the risk that unhelpful thinking patterns (e.g., cognitive biases) have contributed to a state of indignance.
The Skills Videos page gives you several techniques to evaluate thoughts associated with unpleasant emotional states. Try applying some of these skills when you feel indignant.
Get support
Unjust treatment is toxic, and you may be going against intimidating opposition (e.g., a large company). Seek help for moral support, suggested actions, and tapping into additional resources.
You may be part of a large group of people suffering mistreatment. Consider connecting with those in similar circumstances. Various organisations fight injustice amongst particular groups (e.g., Care International).
Consider realistic actions
Make a list of potential responses to injustice. Often, it helps to list the pros and cons of each action. This strategy aids identification of the best next move.
W are Coaching & Clinical Psychologists with extensive experience helping people conquer a range of wellbeing and performance issues at home and in the workplace. We can also help with indignation. Read more about our work, watch practical skills videos or browse other articles. Get in touch anytime.