Date: Fri, 21 Sep 2001 15:20:56 -0000 From: kingm@grps.k12.mi.us Subject: Powerlifting and aggression I was overheard at work growling at my computer when under a workload that was impossible to get done in time but the timeline was non negoitable. Someone commented to me that I seemed to deal with things like this in a very aggressive manner and that maybe I should rethink my choice of sports activites. I don't think I need to say what I did with this piece of advise (except that I hope it didn't hurt anyone when it went crashing to the ground outside the nearest window). This did lead me to ask the question however-- does powerlifting lead to a more aggressive personality? I think of it more as an outlet for aggressions than a builder of them, but am just curious what others think. Date: Fri, 21 Sep 2001 11:21:07 -0600 From: Dan Wagman Subject: Re: Powerlifting and aggression From a scientific perspective, there's certainly an opportunity to learn from sport that being aggressive can help you deal with other aspects of your life. But aggression isn't a unidemsional sort of behavior. Look at it this way, if you growl at the bar and rip it, you're considered motivated and you're displaying aggressive behavior in a positive, or prosocial way. However, if you growl at your computer and throw it through the window, you're not showing proper aggression and you're acting in an antisocial way. That said, aggression can be defined as assertive behavior where there's no intent to do harm; it can be defined as hostile aggression where the intent and goal IS to do harm to someone; and it can be defined as instrumental aggression where there's an intent to do harm for the purpose of winning, such as in a hockey game. The thing is, all three of these definitions can overlap at times and that makes the whole science of it all interesting. But at the same time there's that word "intent" and intent implies that you think about something and then decide what your intent ought to be and you act upon it. So basically, you make up your mind as to how you want to act and I pose this question to you: how would powerlifting change your ability to make sound decisions? If you're a moron who always acts without thought, I doubt that powerlifting is the reason for you acting like a moron. If you're a thoughtful person, I doubt that engaging in powerlifting will strip you from your thoughtfulness. So the bottom line is that when you growled at the computer, you weren't displaying any form of aggression as defined by science. You simply chose to express yourself with a growl. I might have said "shit!" So what. Don't worry, by the looks of it powerlifting isn't turning you into some uncontrollable animal. May your PR's be plentiful! Dan Wagman, Ph.D., C.S.C.S. Publisher/Editor in Chief, Pure Power www.purepowermag.com Date: Fri, 21 Sep 2001 14:52:06 -0400 From: Dmitry Voronov Subject: Re: Powerlifting and aggression Well, just logically, we have all learned that we lift the best when we act like maniacs and especially express it (through grunts and grimaces, some people even resort to physical violence). So through powerlifting, you have learned to express your aggression externally like no other normal person. And the self pride that lifting success brings also aids in making a person more expressive (less shy to show how he/she feels). So yes, I think prolonged and especially successful powerlifting leads to a more aggressive personality . I don't think this is a problem though. As long as you realize that you are becoming more explosive, just increase your level of self control - IE take a chill pill and know that just because it's cool on the platform doesn't mean it's cool everywhere else. Dmitry Date: Fri, 21 Sep 2001 19:28:10 -0400 From: Christine Braun Subject: RE: Powerlifting and aggression My experience may be different because I'm female, but I've found it more of an outlet for aggression. I think I've become more easy-going since I've been lifting. Chris Date: Sat, 22 Sep 2001 00:09:58 -0400 From: "Wade Hanna" Subject: Re: Powerlifting and aggression Likewise...I tend to get more aggressive if I don't workout. I've come to depend on the workouts as an outlet for everyday stress and aggravation. Hey, I work for our Senate...they epitomize aggravation! LOL -wade Date: Sat, 22 Sep 2001 09:17:55 -0500 From: Roger Subject: Re: Powerlifting and aggression I don't think powerlifting leads to an aggressive personality. I think an aggressive personality leads to powerlifting. And it you weren't powerlifting, doing martial arts, or some other good outlet for aggression, you would probably be getting into trouble. Roger Broeg http://members.home.net/apa.iowa/MainPage.html From: Mari Subject: Aggression, assertiveness, etc. I think that either aggressive or assertive personalities are likely to be drawn to weightlifting and particularly powerlifting. I also think that you become more of whatever you used to be before you started. I'm fairly assertive but not aggressive. However, I recently discovered I have a tiny bit of aggression in me. I'm fairly good-natured and female but I actually felt an urge to beat someone up recently. Sure, it was an anger directed at someone that hurt one of my loved ones, but it was a feeling that I didn't expect to feel. I truly felt an impulse to hit another human being, a woman, and I haven't hit anyone since I was in 4th grade! Naturally, I am a civilized adult now and didn't act on this most recent desire to get physical but I am curious as to why I had this uncharacteristic desire to hit someone. Could the excess muscle be influencing me? Maybe it's just because I know I'm stronger than she is. I haven't felt any desire to beat on anyone else... but then again, no one else has hurt someone that I care about the way she hurt my good friend. - Mari Steele, age 43 (and, until last year, a desk jockey) Las Cruces, New Mexico Date: Sun, 23 Sep 2001 12:07:32 -0500 From: Roger Subject: Re: Aggression, assertiveness, etc. Mari I think that the desire to defend someone who means something to you is very natural. I think all people have that tendancy. I would be quicker to act in violence in defense of my wife than I would to defend myself. Roger Broeg Date: Mon, 24 Sep 2001 08:42:23 -0400 From: "William Frenick" Subject: RE: Powerlifting and aggression Greetings, Good topic! From what people (especially my wife) tell me, I'm a very calm, easy going person. As with anyone, there are certain things that "push my buttons" though, and I feel I can release any agression I might build up through powerlifting (or the heavy bag on those rare bad days). :O) I don't think powerlifting causes aggression, but it may be that aggressive people tend to participate in any type of sport. It takes drive and determination to excel at any sport, especially the physically demanding ones. Just because someone can focus energy and release it explosively in a physical activity doesn't mean they will do so at the drop of a pin in everyday life. Sure there are those in any sport who can't control themselves outside of their arena, but those people would be that way regardless. Most powerlifters I've had the pleasure to meet first hand were very polite and friendly, but once on the platform their intensity wasn't any less then the ragers out there. Some people just find it easy to lump people into stereotypes I guess. If you participate in physical sports, you must be un-intelligent and aggressve. Thanks, Bill Date: Mon, 24 Sep 2001 13:51:18 -0400 From: Taggert Doll Subject: RE: Aggression, assertiveness, etc. Dmitry and all, Fight Club is my favorite movie! I don't know how to explain the aggressive/assertive thing myself, but I know since I started PL that I tend to keep things bottled up a lot less. This means more physical outlets--now I am not saying that I go around picking fights with people or anything, just that I am more vocal and assertive than I used to be. I think it is the confidence I get from lifting that "bleeds" (bad descriptive word to use here) over to other portions of my life. Tagg