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We all get angry from time to time, whether resulting from a minor disagreement or from a more traumatic life event we cannot escape feelings of frustration and anger when the world doe not comport itself in accordance with our views. We also tend to think that we have anger figured out. We have been told by a wise relative or an article on the internet that we need to cathart, that is we need to blow off steam to keep from blowing up. This idea of catharsis is not new. It comes to us from the ancient Greeks who thought that purging the body of unbalanced humors was the solution to curing illness as well as undesired feelings of anger. Go yell at God or punch the heavy bag and you’ll feel better is often advice we see thrown around. The problem is the advice is unfounded. It does in fact feel good to “get it out of your system” but in the long game that expulsion of anger through all means serves to increase your overall aggressive behavior rather than dissipate it.
In addition to the stellar panel of Mica McGriggs, Jeremy Timothy, and LaShawn Williams-Shulz I have a short interview with catharsis expert Brad Bushman. Take a look at his webpage to see more articles on the subject and his other research (especially his Psychology Today articles that are very accessible, like this one on anger management) and checkout his TEDxTalk below.
Why does the podcast start out equating venting anger with catharsis?? I've never thought that they were the same in any way.
In my reading I have seen them related quite often. Here are a few links I just pulled up.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/evil-deeds/200909/anger-and-catharsis-myth-metaphor-or-reality
http://youarenotsosmart.com/2010/08/11/catharsis/
http://www-personal.umich.edu/~bbushman/PSPB02.pdf
According to the etylmology of catharsis its meaning comes from the idea of purifying through purging. In this case the venting, blowing off steam, etc are purging the anger as a form of catharsis.
http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?allowed_in_frame=0&search=catharsis&searchmode=none
I really enjoyed this episode. I am a fan of Brad Bushman's work, and thus it was really fun to hear him talking about it here at Rational Faiths. The discussion was also really interesting. Good job!
LaShawn brought the boom. She had some great insights.
I would have liked to see some other things explored (maybe in another podcast episode?):
1)What can I do when I see a friend going on some on-line rant against the Church that ultimately will destroy family relationships? I’ve never seen such online postings as ever creating goodness. I say this while acknowledging that we all need space to be angry at the Church. I have been angry and still am at times.
2)One thing that was brought up is how when one is angry at the LDS Church, we ultimately have no say in effecting change. So our anger won’t produce any real change. I think many on-line Mormons think that signing petitions, or writing a blog post will somehow grab the ears of the brethren, but it never seems to go that way. This seems to breed more angst. How does one work through that? It seems to be different than being angry at a person.
2)