Catharsis in psychology refers to the process by which?We purify negative emotions. It is like opening a window to oxygenate spaces where the presence of conflict has long resided, allows the flame of anger and the weight of sadness to rise from within to give way to healthier, lighter and more relaxed states.
This term is rooted in Sigmund Freud’s psychoanalytic approach, however, it should be noted that the word itself had its golden moment with Aristotle, the Greek philosopher used this word to define the very purpose of tragedy in the performing arts. is the mechanism by which we can purify ourselves emotionally, mentally and spiritually.
- In this way.
- People.
- By getting involved in the plot of these works.
- Could also save their own problems.
- It would be enough to identify with the protagonists of these stories to reconsider.
- Feel.
- Reflect and finally release even our own conflicts.
Sigmund Freud and Joseph Breuer saved this idea centuries later to define what they called the “cathartic method. “This is the therapeutic strategy by which we highlight repressed emotions with the help of hypnosis or therapy itself. Necessary? Unlock memories, opening up the psychological traps under which we hide many of our problems.
Even today, and psychoanalysis aside, we can say that we continue to use the term in a common way in many psychological contexts, let’s look at more information about it.
“You cannot untie a knot without knowing how to do it. ” Aristotle?
We all strive every day to look strong and invulnerable, society, our education and the pressure of our contexts push us to do so, in addition, we sometimes suffer to process certain experiences, understand events, value damage, resolve contradictions, cure frustrations and disappointments.
Day after day, “we swallow everything without being attentive to any damage. And we do it not only because we don’t have time to address some of the impacts. In fact, we don’t really know what to do with most of the things that happen to us No one has taught us to face these experiences and, in turn, we characterize a certain incompetence in terms of emotions.
Catharsis in psychology is fundamental in any therapeutic process, there should always be a time to release this cluster of conflicting tensions, in this way emotions will arise chaotically, it can be through crying or it is also possible by indignant fury or sadness that gradually finds the right words to express themselves.
Thus, and after taking this cork out of the bottle to allow any internal conflict to spread, the analysis begins, this emotional cleansing must transcend the search for an explanation for clarifying the problem, after this real understanding of what is happening to it ourselves, the mechanisms of change are set in motion.
A study by Dr. Brad Bushman, Roy Baumeister and Angela Stack, published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, has revealed something important about what we should think about: catharsis in psychology is the art of controlling and directing.
This work has shown that when we allow a person to release his contained anger, rather than facilitating relief and purification, we run the risk of further intensifying this state of frustration and anger, all of this invites us to understand one very important aspect: recognizing our conflicts and expressing them is immensely painful.
It is in this part of the therapeutic process that the professional has an immense, transcendent and essential responsibility, must have this personal capacity to manage all the emotional energy that is spreading, must receive, sift and reorient. Because to purify is not just to make the harmful disappear, it is to know how to transform, it is to cure and oxygenate.
Catharsis in psychology was a key tool for Freud, later it was also a key tool for other references, such as Jacob Levy Moreno with his psychodrama technique, where the release of emotions is done individually or in a group through theatrical exercises.
To date, we can say that many television and film productions also act as cathartic channels through which we purify some of our conflicting emotions, so and according to the modern theory of catharsis, action or horror films would be those contexts in which we find ourselves. also listening to our aggressive fears or impulses.
Not everyone agrees with this idea, however, whether we like it or not, it is always advisable to open the interior windows to clean the spaces where these negative and limiting emotions accumulate. Life needs momentum and strength to find its place at the top of the well. -to be. Psychological catharsis, as well as specialized professionals, can help us.