Anger at Work The Story of the Headache Switch
Anger at Work The Story of the Headache Switch is a short film from 1956 released on 16mm. It is held in the Prelinger Archives collection.
ANGER AT WORK explains the "headache switch," one of the mental mechanisms of man's personality which induces displacement of anger onto other men and impairs one's efficiency in everyday living. Several incidents are presented depicting some of the techniques people have developed for handling such overwhelming feelings as anger, resentment, and frustration.
| Anger at Work The Story of the Headache Switch | |
|---|---|
| Produced by | University of Oklahoma, Extension Division, Educational Materials Service |
Production companies | University of Oklahoma, Extension Division, Educational Materials Service |
| Distributed by | University of Oklahoma, Extension Division, Educational Materials Service |
Release date | 1956 |
Running time | 21:00 |
| Language | English |
- Thumbnail
Ed Wilson had just begun in his new job as a draftsman when his boss smudged a drawing that he had been working on for several hours. As a result, he vehemently let his boss know how he felt about the matter. Frank McCoy, a fellow worker, explained to Ed that he was using the "headache switch" when he lost his temper with the boss and contended that he was just "letting off steam" caused by the pressure of a new job and the flat tire he had had on the way to work. Frank suggested that he try several methods for getting the same emotional release without outbursts of anger. The validity of this advice was strengthened when Ed went home and lost his temper with his wife and child. At the time he had forgotten what Frank had advised, but, upon reflection, concluded that his suggestions had merit.
The film points out that some people use different techniques to combat emotional tension. In the case of Mike O'Shea, the firm's top salesman, this tension was worked off on the golf course or tennis court. Volpae, the company janitor, accomplished this by working in his garden. Frank McCoy laughed about his problems and made a joke of them. Gus Peterson put all of his energy into his love for the job he was doing and the achievements he made.
Another example of emotional stress concerns Mrs. Nugent who had lost an advancement to another person. As a result of her disappointment, she let her appearance get untidy, her work become inadequate, and her attitude with co-workers became surly. Her displacement of anger was evidenced in the form of severe headaches which forced her to go home early so many times that eventually she was replaced. Still another example describes Tony Luciana who became so careless and unable to concentrate on his work when his boy was arrested that he lost a hand when it was smashed in a drill press.
Educational Screen & AV Guide, March, 1957, p. 143-44