Sport as Catharsis

The word catharsis comes from the Greek katharsis or katairein , which means a cleansing or a purging. Webster's Dictionary definition reads: “A discharge of pent‐up emotions so as to result in the alleviation of symptoms or the permanent relief of the condition.” Catharsis essentially refers to a release or discharge or cleansing of emotions, generally with the purpose of relieving the stress that develops from holding these emotions within the individual. English and English (1958) talk about “the relaxation of emotional tension or anxiety by any kind of expressive reaction.” We often refer to the cathartic nature of sport (and exercise), relieving stress or tension that might build up, or serving as a release for anger and hostility (that may be seen as acceptable on the playing field or in the arena)

Anger · Anxiety · Catharsis · Hostility · Linguistics · Psychoanalysis · Psychotherapist · Rumination · Motivation and Self-Concept in Sports · Philosophy · Physical Education and Pedagogy · Psychology · Social Psychology · Sport Psychology and Performance

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  Albert Bandura•Social learning theory•1977

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