Catharsis Effect

About

The Catharsis Theory explains that when one consumes violent media, they are able to reduce their aggressive feelings.

Origin

Originating from the Greek word Katharsis which means to cleanse or purge. The first mention of Catharsis was recorded over 1,000 years ago by Aristotle in his "Poetics." In his work, Aristotle explained that when people was a tragic play, that are able to release repressed anger, pity, and sad feelings. Sigmund Freud also wrote about Catharsis from some of his studies.

Real?

"After reviewing the scientific research, Carol Tavris (1988) concluded, 'It is time to put a bullet, once and for all, through the heart of the catharsis hypothesis. The belief that observing violence (or ‘ventilating it’) gets rid of hostilities has virtually never been supported by research.'"

References

http://encyclopedia.jrank.org/articles/pages/6455/Catharsis-Theory-and-Media-Effects.html