Expressing anger aggressively drains it and reduces later aggression.

The catharsis idea treats anger like pressure in a vessel. If aggressive energy builds up, expressing it—yelling, hitting something, or otherwise “getting it out”—should reduce the pressure and leave the person calmer.

Controlled experiments repeatedly failed to support that simple hydraulic model.

Participants encouraged to punch bags while thinking about someone who angered them often became more, not less, aggressive afterward. Rehearsing the grievance can maintain arousal and strengthen hostile thoughts rather than exhausting them.

More recent synthesis likewise finds better results from strategies that lower physiological arousal or interrupt rumination.

This does not mean people should suppress every emotion or never talk about anger. Constructive conversation, boundary-setting, therapy, exercise, and expressive writing are not equivalent to aggressive venting.

Feeling temporary relief also does not prove that aggression has been reduced. A behavior can feel satisfying while reinforcing the same response pattern.

The overturned claim is specifically that acting out anger works like draining a tank.