The reaction of anger when someone is called out for making a mistake can stem from various psychological and emotional factors. Here are some possible reasons:
Ego and Self-esteem: People often tie their self-worth and identity to their abilities and competence. When someone points out a mistake, it can feel like a personal attack on their character, leading to a defensive response to protect their self-esteem.
Fear of Judgment and Rejection: Being called out for a mistake can trigger the fear of being judged or rejected by others. Anger may be used as a defense mechanism to push away the criticism and protect themselves from potential negative consequences.
Sense of Threat: Some individuals may perceive a challenge to their competence as a threat to their status, authority, or position. Anger can arise as a way to assert dominance and maintain control over the situation.
Insecurity and Vulnerability: Acknowledging a mistake can make people feel vulnerable and insecure. Anger may be a way to mask these feelings and avoid dealing with the discomfort of admitting an error.
Lack of Accountability: Some people struggle with taking responsibility for their actions. Responding with anger can be a way to deflect blame and avoid accountability for their mistakes.
Past Trauma: Individuals with past negative experiences, such as being harshly criticized or punished for mistakes, may develop a defensive response to similar situations, leading to anger when confronted with errors.
Communication Style: Some people have learned that responding with anger is an effective way to shut down criticism and avoid further discussions about their mistakes.
Stress and Emotional Regulation: High levels of stress and poor emotional regulation skills can make it challenging to respond calmly to criticism, leading to an angry outburst instead.
Cultural and Social Norms: In some cultures, expressing anger may be more acceptable or even expected when faced with a challenge to one's competence or reputation.
It's important to note that responding with anger to being called out for a mistake is not a constructive or healthy response. Encouraging open communication, promoting a culture of learning from mistakes, and fostering an environment where people feel safe to admit errors can help reduce such defensive reactions. Developing emotional intelligence and self-awareness can also help individuals better manage their reactions to criticism.