This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Bushman, B. J. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Bushman, B. J. Social Bookmarking                         What's this?

Does Venting Anger Feed or Extinguish the Flame? Catharsis, Rumination, Distraction, Anger, and Aggressive Responding

Iowa State University, bushman{at}iastate.edu

Does distraction or rumination work better to diffuse anger? Catharsis theory predicts that rumination works best, but empirical evidence is lacking. In this study, angered participants hit a punching bag and thought about the person who had angered them (rumination group) or thought about becoming physically fit (distraction group). After hitting the punching bag, they reported how angry they felt. Next, they were given the chance to administer loud blasts of noise to the person who had angered them. There also was a no punching bag control group. People in the rumination group felt angrier than did people in the distraction or control groups. People in the rumination group were also most aggressive, followed respectively by people in the distraction and control groups. Rumination increased rather than decreased anger and aggression. Doing nothing at all was more effective than venting anger. These results directly contradict catharsis theory.

Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, Vol. 28, No. 6, 724-731 (2002)
DOI: 10.1177/0146167202289002


CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				F. L. Gardner and Z. E. Moore Understanding Clinical Anger and Violence: The Anger Avoidance Model Behav Modif, November 1, 2008; 32(6): 897 - 912. [Abstract] [PDF]

				T. Ross and M. I. Fontao The Relationship of Self-Regulation and Aggression: An Empirical Test of Personality Systems Interaction Theory Int J Offender Ther Comp Criminol, October 1, 2008; 52(5): 554 - 570. [Abstract] [PDF]

				J. D. Buckner, C. Lopez, S. Dunkel, and T. E. Joiner Jr. Behavior Management Training for the Treatment of Reactive Attachment Disorder Child Maltreat, August 1, 2008; 13(3): 289 - 297. [Abstract] [PDF]

				E. Kross and O. Ayduk Facilitating Adaptive Emotional Analysis: Distinguishing Distanced-Analysis of Depressive Experiences From Immersed-Analysis and Distraction Pers Soc Psychol Bull, July 1, 2008; 34(7): 924 - 938. [Abstract] [PDF]

				B. M. Wilkowski and M. D. Robinson The Cognitive Basis of Trait Anger and Reactive Aggression: An Integrative Analysis Personality and Social Psychology Review, February 1, 2008; 12(1): 3 - 21. [Abstract] [PDF]

				J. Eaton, C. W. Struthers, and A. G. Santelli The Mediating Role of Perceptual Validation in the Repentance-Forgiveness Process Pers Soc Psychol Bull, October 1, 2006; 32(10): 1389 - 1401. [Abstract] [PDF]

				P. A. Brand and P. A. Anastasio Violence-Related Attitudes and Beliefs: Scale Construction and Psychometrics J Interpers Violence, July 1, 2006; 21(7): 856 - 868. [Abstract] [PDF]

				M. Chaffin, R. Hanson, B. E. Saunders, T. Nichols, D. Barnett, C. Zeanah, L. Berliner, B. Egeland, E. Newman, T. Lyon, et al. Report of the APSAC Task Force on Attachment Therapy, Reactive Attachment Disorder, and Attachment Problems Child Maltreat, February 1, 2006; 11(1): 76 - 89. [Abstract] [PDF]

				U. Orth, L. Montada, and A. Maercker Feelings of Revenge, Retaliation Motive, and Posttraumatic Stress Reactions in Crime Victims J Interpers Violence, February 1, 2006; 21(2): 229 - 243. [Abstract] [PDF]