Centre economics professor collaborates with local artist to publish anger management book

DANVILLE, KY—David Anderson, Blazer Associate Professor of Economics at Centre College, has recently published a book about anger management. Phnomphone (Paul) Sirimongkhon, a graphic designer in the Centre communications department, contributed numerous vivid, full-color illustrations for the book, titled Sometimes I Get So Angry! Anger Management for Everyone.

"The topic is timely," says Anderson. "Domestic abuse, war and violent crime are constant reminders of our society's struggle with anger. Headlines such as yesterday's 'Angry man shoots at firefighters who refused to rescue cat from tree,' [French soccer captain Zinadine] Zidane's infamous head-butt in the World Cup soccer final, and the 20th anniversary of the first 'gone postal' massacre exemplify recurring problems."

Anderson adds that the idea for the book came to him while he was interviewing convicts for a scholarly article a few years ago. "I learned that harsher punishments are a weak deterrent to violence," he says, "and that broader teachings of how to handle difficult emotions are a better approach."

By writing this book, Anderson hopes "to start discussions about healthy ways to handle anger, embarrassment, jealousy, hatred and other emotions at the root of abuse and other social problems."

Anderson, who has taught at Centre since 1992, holds a B.A. degree from the University of Michigan and M.A. and Ph.D. degrees from Duke University.

Dr. Anderson has expertise in the economics of law, crime and the environment. He has also published scholarly articles on futures markets, ARCH models, marriage, social insurance, classroom technology, instructional evaluation, childbirth, and dispute resolution, among other topics. His previous books cover the topics of dispute resolution, environmental economics, active learning, and introductory economics.

For information on the art of Paul Sirimongkhon, visit http://web.centre.edu/phnom/ps.art/.

Information on ordering the book is at http://www.pensivepress.com/.

More information on anger management is available online at www.apa.org/, http://www.angriesout.com/, and http://www.safeyouth.org/scripts/teens/anger.asp.

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