Catharsis

Misconception vs. Truth

Misconception:
Venting your anger is an effective way to reduce stress and prevent lashing out at friends and family.

Truth:
Venting increases aggressive behavior over time.

The Origins of Catharsis

  • The concept of catharsis traces back to Aristotle and Greek drama, meaning "to purify" and "to clean."
  • Historically, it was believed that releasing pent-up emotions (anger, sexual tension, etc.) would restore balance.
  • Sigmund Freud popularized catharsis in the context of psychotherapy, suggesting that filtering out mental impurities through therapy could achieve mental wellness.

Hydraulic Model of Anger

  • The hydraulic model posits that anger builds up like steam in a boiler and needs to be released to prevent an outburst.
  • This common belief suggests that punching objects or screaming into pillows can help manage anger.

Research by Brad Bushman

  • In the 1990s, psychologist Brad Bushman conducted studies to test the efficacy of catharsis.
  • Initial study divided students into three groups:
    • One read a neutral article.
    • One read an article claiming venting was effective.
    • One read an article claiming venting was pointless.
  • Students then wrote essays on abortion and received either praise or harsh criticism.
  • Findings:
    • The group that read about the effectiveness of venting and then got angry were more likely to choose aggressive activities, like punching a bag.
    • Belief in catharsis encouraged people to seek aggressive outlets for anger.

Subsequent Studies on Anger and Revenge

  • In a follow-up study, subjects who punched a bag before competing in a game set higher punitive volumes for their opponent compared to those who cooled off by waiting.
  • Additional experiments showed similar results when subjects assigned hot sauce amounts or chose aggressive words.

Key Findings

  • Venting anger does not dissipate it but sustains and amplifies it.
  • Engaging in venting behaviors makes people more likely to seek out future aggression, similar to a drug-like reinforcement.

Recommendations for Anger Management

  • Cooling Off: Instead of venting, it's more effective to take time to cool off. Delaying a response, relaxing, or distracting oneself with non-aggressive activities can reduce anger.
  • Avoiding Aggressive Outlets: Redirecting anger into physical activities like exercise can maintain or increase aggression levels rather than reduce them.

Conclusion

  • While venting might feel good initially, it perpetuates a cycle of aggression rather than resolving underlying anger.
  • Effective anger management involves cooling off and engaging in activities incompatible with aggression.