Catharsis Revisited

A motivational look at Catharsis is investigated. It is assumed that a) the goal to aggress increases the accessibility of aggressive constructs, b) that this heightened accessibility is inhibited after goal-fulfillment and c) that aggressive behavior is reduced after goal-fulfillment. Study 1 showed an increase of aggressive constructs after priming the goal to aggress; after imagined and symbolic goal-fulfillment this accessibility was diminished. Study 2 showed that after fulfilling the goal to aggress also aggressive behavior was reduced. In addition, a non-aggressive way of goal-fulfillment further decreased aggressive behavior. Study 3 demonstrated that goal-fulfillment is necessary: without it, fictitious aggressive acts against an unrelated target increased aggression. Study 4 tested an alternative explanation for post-fulfillment reduction in accessibility, namely thought-suppression. Participants who were instructed to suppress aggressive thoughts had these thoughts more accessible than a group without suppression. Aggressive behavior was also more pronounced after suppression. The results are discussed in the realm of theories in motivation and aggression research.

Autorentext
Markus Denzler studied Psychology at the University of Würzburg/University of Wales Bangor (1994-2001). In 2001 he accepted an offer to work with J. Förster at International University Bremen (IUB). He did his PhD from 2003 to 2006 at IUB (finished with special distinction). He is currently working as a post-doc at the University of Amsterdam.