What is Catharsis effect?

Catharsis is a form of emotional cleansing first defined by the Greek philosopher Aristotle. It originally referred to the sensation that would ideally overcome an audience upon finishing a tragedy. The fact that there existed those who could suffer a worse fate than them was to them a relief, and at the end of the play, they felt  astonishment.

There are two approaches towards violence in the media. The cathartic effect theory states that viewing violence alleviates anxieties, the second theory states that viewing violence incites violence.