On Tue, 07 Aug 2007 04:52:34 +0000, Rhonda wrote:

bookie wrote:

never heard of the cathartic effect? talking cure?


I had to look that up! Google has a search for scholarly articles now.
Here's what I found for cathartic effect:

"In general, empirical findings have been inconsistent with the
catharsis hypothesis (see reviews by Geen & Quanty, 1977, and Warren &
Kurlycheck, 1981). Tavris (1988) concluded that "it is time to put a
bullet, once and for all, through heart of the catharsis hypothesis. The
belief that observing violence (or 'ventilating it') gets rid of
hostilities has virtually never been supported by research" (p. 194).
Because activities considered to be cathartic also are aggressive, they
could lead to the activation of other aggressive thoughts, emotions, and
behavioral tendencies which in turn could lead to greater anger and
aggression (Berkowitz, 1984; Tice & Baumeister, 1993)."

http://www.apa.org/journals/features/psp763367.pdf


Rhonda

This particular brand of pop psychology had its heyday in the 1970s,
promoted by cranks like Arthur Janov (primal therapy) and J.L. Moreno
(psychodrama). It's not unlike the "Alpha dog" theory, which has been
debunked by research, but you'll never convince the people who cling to
it because it justifies their desire to bully a dumb animal. Likewise
anger junkies cling to catharsis theory as a way to justify their
tantrums and tirades.

Charlie