Pssst...you there...lookin' for an anger fix?

David McRaney summarizes Brad Bushman's research on anger and catharsis: "If you get into an argument, or someone cuts you off in traffic, or you get called an awful name, venting will not dissipate the negative energy. It will, however, feel great. That’s the thing. Catharsis will make you feel good, but it’s an emotional hamster wheel. The emotion which led you to catharsis will still be there afterward, and if it made you feel good, you’ll seek it out again in the future...Common sense says venting is an important way to ease tension, but common sense is wrong. Venting – catharsis – is pouring fuel into a fire."

Okay, so am I ready for an emotional cooling instead of the choice expletives during rush hour traffic? And what about those deeper social slights (or even wounds)? There seems to be so much short-term neurological payoff for venting, almost like a drug! Check out the link & if you feel like it, post your thoughts...