Myth #3: “Get it out of your system.” Another pervasive myth regards anger as pent up pressure that needs to be released. Therapy supporting catharsis of angry feelings gained popularity during the 1960s and 70s (Tavris, 1982). Those therapies were called into question after many psychologists and researchers showed that expressing anger generally intensifies feelings of anger (Bushman, Baumeister, & Phillips, 2001; Lewis & Bucher, 1992). In some cases ‘venting’ actually increases anger intensity and expression by reinforcing negative thinking (Lewis & Bucher, 1992). Tavris (1982) discussed several studies in which talking about an anger-provoking event made individuals angrier. As these individuals recited their grievances their anger became reactivated (Tavris).