Markus Denzler

• A functional look at the catharsis hypothesis is investigated. The basic assumption of the model is that the goal to aggress increases aggression-related constructs. Furthermore, it is assumed that this heightened accessibility of aggression-related constructs loses its functionality after goal-fulfillment. Therefore, it is claimed that after goal-fulfillment accessibility of aggression-related constructs decreases. It is also expected that aggressive behavior is reduced after goal-fulfillment. Study 1 to 3 examined whether fulfilling an aggressive goal reduces aggression. Study 1 showed an increase of aggression-related constructs after priming the goal to aggress via a fictitious scenario compared to a control scenario. After imagined and symbolic goal-fulfillment the accessibility of aggression-related constructs was reduced. Study 2 showed that after fulfilling the goal to aggress aggressive behavior was reduced. In addition, a non-aggressive way of goal-fulfillment reduced aggressive behavior even more. Study 3 demonstrated that goal-fulfillment is necessary for reducing accessibility of aggression-related constructs. Without goal-fulfillment fictitious aggressive acts against an unrelated target/inanimate object increase aggression. Study 4 tested an alternative explanation for post-fulfillment reduction in accessibility, namely thought-suppression. In general, thought suppression leads to heightened accessibility of thoughts in a group that was instructed to suppress these thoughts compared to a non-suppression group (rebound effect). Participants who were instructed to suppress aggressive thoughts had more accessible aggressive thoughts than a group without suppression instruction. Aggressive behavior was also more pronounced after suppression compared to a non-suppression group (behavioral rebound effect). The present results are discussed in the realm of goal-system theory and of other fields in aggression research like (triggered) displaced aggression.