The Catharsis Theory

The Catharsis Theory suggests that expressing strong emotions, such as anger or frustration, can help people release those feelings and reduce stress. For example, yelling at a pillow or venting to a friend might make someone feel better because it allows them to process emotions and lessen their internal tension. The idea is that by safely releasing these feelings, individuals can achieve emotional relief and prevent them from building up into more serious issues. However, research offers mixed results on whether cathartic acts always lead to healthier emotional regulation.