Experimental investigations of hostility catharsis

Rational-Emotive Therapy: Research Data That Supports The Clinical and Personality Hypotheses of RET and Other Modes of Cognitive-Behavior Therapy

This article examines 32 important clinical and personality hypotheses of rational-emotive therapy (RET) and other modes of cognitive-behavior therapy and lists a large number of research studies that provide empirical confirmation of these hypotheses. It concludes that (1) a vast amount of research data exists, most of which tends to confirm the major clinical and personality hypotheses of RET; (2) this data keeps increasing by leaps and bounds; (3) RET hypotheses nicely lend themselves to experimental investigation and therefore encourage a considerable amount of research; (4) researchers have not yet tested some of the major RET formulations and could do so with profit to the field of psychotherapy and personality theory.

The Catharsis of Aggression and Hostility

Using 16 male and 16 female subjects, this study investigated the effects of viewing justified filmed violence and the effects of catharsis on aggression, as measured by levels of shock and ratings of hostility. Berkowitz's position that the viewing of justified filmed violence reduces the threshold for aggression was supported by both the shock and the rating data. Data did not support his position that the direct expression of aggression and hostility against an insulting partner is likely to serve as a stimulus for further aggression. In fact the data obtained from the male subjects are consistent with the catharsis principle.

Roman Catholic couples: wrath and religion

Qualitative methods were used to research the effects of the religious beliefs and practices of ten Roman Catholic couples on the ways in which they managed anger and conflict in their marital relationship. The couples were interviewed separately, twice each, using Grounded Theory techniques in the first, semi-structured interview, and Repertory Grids in the second. Religious beliefs supported a broad range of positions on anger management from self-control through to the thoughtful expression of anger. It is suggested that religious beliefs and practices can be thought of as expanding or restricting "space" by reducing the intensity of anger experienced and by providing an opportunity for reflection which enabled participants to take greater responsibility for their part in conflicts. The relationship with God affected the "space" in the couple relationship by meeting some of the unmet needs of individuals and by detouring anger away from the spouse to God where it was felt to be safely contained. This procedure was used more by wives; their husbands seemed more often to fear and avoid conflicts and the expression of anger. Links were made between the marital relationship and the relationship with God. It was proposed that these systems are both evolving interactively with changes in one resulting in changes in the other. However, there can be a delay before changes in one system can be integrated with conflicting beliefs or practices in the reciprocal system, which may result in ambivalent attitudes toward anger and conflict. Clinical implications and directions for future research were suggested.

Cardiovascular consequences of expressing, experiencing, and repressing anger

Psychoanalytic theory's pathogenic view of repression gave rise to the widely held belief that the expression of anger is beneficial to mental and physical health. The present paper reviews a number of experimental and correlational studies which demonstrate that the full expression of anger, with its vocal manifestations, is associated with significant cardiovascular hyperreactivity. Furthermore, epidemiological studies indicate that such expression of anger are also related to coronary heart disease (CHD) and to some physiological and hormonal changes that have been implicated in the pathophysiology of CHD. On the other hand, neither the mere experience of anger nor its repression has any of the above negative cardiovascular consequences, although the repression of anger seems to have other untoward health consequences.

Spectators' Behavior at Minor League Hockey Games: An Exploratory Study

The purpose of this study was to assess the behavior of spectators viewing minor league hockey in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. The behavior of 272 (142 men, 130 women) randomly selected spectators was assessed using a special code. Spectators were observed for 10-sec. time blocks and the predominant behavior they were emitting was recorded. During each observation session, three subjects were observed in serial order for the duration of the hockey game. Significant differences were found for some behaviors of the spectators when the level of the athletes in the competition, the importance of the contest, and the sex of the spectator were considered. Spectators viewing hockey played at older ages (Bantam, Midget) watched the game more and were more negative toward the athletes. Spectators seemed to be more attentive to the game during houseleague games than to tournament and play-off games. Males tended to watch the game more than females who interacted with other spectators. The findings did not support the popular notion that spectators viewing minor league hockey are a verbally abusive group.

Facilitating generalization in assertiveness training

Theoretical writings suggest expressiveness is a positive psychotherapeutic goal. A brief review was made of experimental studies of the cathartic hypothesis and studies reflecting on inability to express anger adequately. It is asserted that a constructive method for expression of anger is needed. A discussion focuses on the distinctions between anger and aggression, and a distinction is drawn between destructive and constructive expression of anger. A description is given of how constructive expression of anger can be employed in assertive training.