catharsis

Catharsis is a term used in psychology, philosophy, and literary criticism to denote the process of releasing, and thereby providing relief from, strong or repressed emotions. The word comes from the Greek katharsis meaning "purification" or "cleansing." In classical philosophy and tragedy, catharsis referred to the audience’s emotional cleansing experienced as they watched a tragedy unfold, particularly the purging of pity and fear.

In Aristotle's Poetics, catharsis is the effect of tragedy on the audience, a means of purifying emotions through vicarious experience. The exact interpretation remains debated: some read it as a psychological relief; others as a formal principle of dramatic design rather than a psychological outcome.

In modern psychology and psychotherapy, catharsis denotes the release of repressed emotions, often through expression, discussion, or exposure. Sigmund Freud popularized the idea that expressing repressed material could relieve psychological distress, a notion that informed early talking therapies. The efficacy and mechanisms of cathartic methods are contested; research shows that mere venting can be neutral or even counterproductive unless it is followed by insight, coping strategies, or therapeutic framing.

In everyday usage, catharsis can describe emotional release experienced through art, music, or dialogue. It is not universally therapeutic or necessary for healing, and professionals emphasize careful, structured approaches to processing emotions to avoid harm such as re-traumatization or heightened arousal.