6 reasons why people love horror movies
Horror is one of the most popular movie genres, but those who don't like horror movies may find it hard to understand why some people are willing to pay money to be scared. A psychology expert explains why people love horror movies, which are full of elements that make you want to look away, such as grotesque images, violent and cruel depictions, and jump scares that make you jump out of your chair.
6 reasons why people enjoy horror movies
Shane Rogers and Shannon Muir, psychology professors at Edith Cowan University in Australia, and Coltan Scribner, a behavioral scientist at Arizona State University in the US, have outlined six reasons why people love horror movies:
·table of contents
◆1: The thrill of fear
◆2: A sense of relief after the fear has passed
3. Satisfy your morbid curiosity
◆4: Pushing the limits and overcoming fear
◆5: Perfect for a date
6. Other people's misfortune is sweet
◆1: The thrill of fear
According to Rogers and the other three experts, fear and excitement have a lot in common: They both release stress hormones, increase heart rate and breathing rates, and cause physical symptoms like sweating and muscle tension. They also stimulate your sense of alertness, which can heighten your sense of anxiety.
Various studies have shown that people who enjoy intense emotional experiences, including fear and excitement, tend to enjoy horror movies. On the other hand, jump scares and violent scenes are particularly intense for people who are prone to fear, and it has been found that they show coping behaviors such as looking away or covering their ears even while engrossed in the movie.
'For people who seek out intense emotions, even if they are scared, their desire for thrills may be stronger,' the experts said.
◆2: A sense of relief after the fear has passed
People may enjoy horror movies because of the moment of relief they get after the frightening scene is over.
Watching a horror movie can send waves of fear and relief tumbling like a roller coaster, with peaks and troughs.
For example, in the 2017 film
Similarly, in the 1975 classic ' Jaws ,' the audience is repeatedly relieved of a horrifying scene only to be hit with it again.
Amazon.co.jp: Jaws [Blu-ray] : Roy Scheider/Robert Shaw/Richard Dreyfuss, Director: Steven Spielberg: DVD
3. Satisfy your morbid curiosity
Many horror movies feature supernatural themes and characters, such as zombies, vampires, and werewolves, which is why horror movies help satisfy our morbid curiosity.
Additionally, the violence, death, and gore common to horror provide an opportunity to safely enjoy experiences that would be dangerous and often socially inappropriate in the real world.
◆4: Pushing the limits and overcoming fear
Horror movies can embody people's deepest fears and encourage introspection about the limits of personal fear and aversion, so some people may enjoy horror in order to better understand their own limits.
It has also been shown that watching horror movies can help people overcome their limitations and reduce the fear and disgust they feel from similar events in the real world.
A 2021
◆5: Perfect for a date
Some people say the social aspect of watching a horror movie with others is what makes it so appealing to them: watching a horror movie with other people can give you a sense of security, or the experience can be amplified by the emotions felt by those around you.
Horror movies are also often a popular date night movie choice, as they provide a great excuse to get scared together and huddle.
6. Other people's misfortune is sweet
In most horror movies, the characters suffer terrible fates, so one of the attractions of horror movies is the dark pleasure we feel when we see the misfortune of others, a feeling known as schadenfreude .
Many of the characters who suffer terrible things are supporting characters, usually unpleasant or foolish, so there's a sense of catharsis in seeing them meet a tragic end.
For example, the 1996 witch-themed horror film The Craft features a self-centered troublemaker named Chris Hooker who is thrown out a window to his death in the film.
Below is the scene.
'You Don't Even Exist To Me' Nancy Kills Chris Scene | The Craft (1996) - YouTube
Horror movies sometimes involve characters being subjected to irrational violence, but a 2024 study conducted by Scribner found that horror movie fans had the same level of empathy as people who don't like horror movies.
Based on these findings, the experts said, 'Horror films allow us to see our deepest fears through a safe fiction. People enjoy horror films for many reasons, but one thing is certain: their growing popularity has led to a wider range of horror films available to watch.'
Related Posts:
