It’s intriguing to look at self-control as a capacity to reduce aggression. In fact Galić and Ružojčić (2017) state that dispositional self-control, as measured with an according test, moderated negative behavior at work. Similarly, implicit self-control can be related to a reduction of anger and different types of aggression (Keatly, Allom, & Mullan, 2017).
Maybe like from the after-school anti-aggression sports program studied by Shachar, Ronen-Rosenbaum, Rosenbaum, Orkibi, and Hamama (2016), the impressive results including evidence for better self-control skills, reduced anger and less urge for physical aggression, could be replicated for adults. The program required the experiment group to sport five times a week, though. Would be interesting to know down to what intensity and frequency such a program would still yield similar benefits (Shachar et al., 2016).
References
Galić, Z., & Ružojčić, M. (2017). Interaction between implicit aggression and dispositional self-control in explaining counterproductive work behaviors. Personality & Individual Differences, 104111-117. doi:10.1016/j.paid.2016.07.046
Keatley, D. A., Allom, V., & Mullan, B. (2017). The effects of implicit and explicit self-control on self-reported aggression. Personality And Individual Differences, 107154-158. doi:10.1016/j.paid.2016.11.046
Shachar, K., Ronen-Rosenbaum, T., Rosenbaum, M., Orkibi, H., & Hamama, L. (2016). Reducing child aggression through sports intervention: The role of self-control skills and emotions. Children And Youth Services Review, 71241-249. doi:10.1016/j.childyouth.2016.11.012
From a personal experience, I know this is true. Just walking already calms me down, if I am furious about something 😉
I agree, walking is great, even meditative. And possibly going with the dog is not limiting the effect?
Depends on how old the dog is haha
🙂