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Catharsis vs Cathexis - What's the difference?

catharsis | cathexis |

As nouns the difference between catharsis and cathexis

is that catharsis is a release of emotional tension after an overwhelming vicarious experience, resulting in the purging or purification of the emotions, as through watching a dramatic production (especially a tragedy) while cathexis is the concentration of libido or emotional energy on a single object or idea.

catharsis

Noun

(catharses)
  • (drama) A release of emotional tension after an overwhelming vicarious experience, resulting in the purging or purification of the emotions, as through watching a dramatic production (especially a tragedy).
  • Any release of emotional tension to the same effect, more widely.
  • A purification or cleansing, especially emotional.
  • (psychology) A therapeutic technique to relieve tension.
  • (medicine) Purging of the digestive system.
  • Anagrams

    *

    cathexis

    English

    Noun

    (wikipedia cathexis) (cathexes)
  • (psychoanalysis) The concentration of libido or emotional energy on a single object or idea.
  • Derived terms

    * cathect * cathectic * countercathexis * decathexis * hypercathexis * recathexis