In the film "Analyze This," the therapist played by Billy Crystal suggests that the mobster played by Robert DeNiro hit a pillow to vent his anger.  DeNiro pulls out a gun and blasts the pillow. He feels better. 

A new study, however, challenges the popular belief that venting through physical aggression decreases anger. In fact, the study found that venting appears to increase a person's propensity for aggressiveness.

Researchers at Iowa State University and Case Western Reserve University asked 707 undergraduates to participate in experiments that included being insulted by an unseen study partner. The students then performed a series of activities, with some students hitting a punching bag and others not. 

When the students competed in a computer game with the partner who had insulted them, those who had hit the punching bag were much more likely to behave aggressively, the researchers found. 

"Pop writers may think they are offering helpful, sage advice . . . but the effect of advocating catharsis may be to cause a general increase in aggressive behavior," the researchers write in the March issue of the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.

Compiled from reports by Curt Suplee and Rob Stein.
Monday, March 29, 1999; Page A09
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