The Irrationality of the Catharsis Theory of Aggression as Justification for Educators' Support of Interscholastic Football

Abstract

The notion that hostile feelings can be catharted from the psyche by playing football or other aggressive sports was virtually destroyed by behavioral scientists several decades ago. Nonetheless educators continue to support interscholastic football as a means of venting the aggressive emotions that supposedly characterize adolescence. This work examines this phenomenon, concluding that educators realize the sport actually increases aggression but hide behind the outdated hypothesis about catharsis to perpetuate the sport—an activity which gives them much pleasure.