Burning Question:
Does Venting Anger Feed the Fire or Cool it Down?
We’ve all heard different strategies on how to control outbursts of anger. From going on a walk to breathing exercises to venting. Although venting is a very commonly used strategy and the fact that it is referenced in pop culture or movies as a great way to potentiate physical endurance or a way to motivate athletes, its efficacy is now being debated. A study by Brad J. Bushman from Iowa State University (2002) challenges the belief in this catharsis theory and explores whether distraction or rumination is more effective in diffusing anger. The results show that rumination increases anger and aggression, contradicting the popular belief in the value of venting anger. Let’s review this article in greater depth. The key findings of the study were:
- Participants in the rumination group felt angrier than those in the distraction or control groups.
- People in the rumination group were also found to be the most aggressive, followed respectively by people in the distraction and control groups.
- Rumination increased anger and aggression instead of decreasing them.
- Doing nothing at all was more effective in reducing anger than venting anger through rumination.
These findings challenge the widely held belief that venting anger can help reduce aggression. Instead, the results show that venting anger through rumination increases anger and aggressive responses. Also, the study demonstrates that engaging in aggressive activities like hitting a punching a bag while ruminating about the source of provocation (picturing someone’s face or an event that triggered the anger in the first place) does not help or effectively diffuse anger. It keeps aggressive thoughts and angry feelings active in memory, leading to heightened anger and aggression.
As an alternative solution, the study highlights the potential effectiveness of distraction in managing anger. Participants in the distraction group, who thought about becoming physically fit while hitting a punching bag, were less angry than those in the rumination group. However, they were not less aggressive, this indicates that distraction alone may not be sufficient to reduce aggression.
To learn more about effective strategies on how to navigate and manage your anger, review our new Anger Management Course, available in multiple languages, on the Alliance Against Uncontrolled Anger website allianceagainstanger.org
Reference: Bushman, B. J. (2002). Catharsis, rumination, distraction, anger, and aggressive responding. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 28(6), 724-731. Retrieved from: https://websites.umich.edu/~bbushman/PSPB02.pdf
The Alliance Against Uncontrolled Anger aims to raise awareness about the impact of anger on mental health and promote healthy coping mechanisms for individuals worldwide.