The Thrills of Horror: Why We Love Scary Movies
With Halloween just round the corner, psychology might hold some clues as to why we seek out horror movies and the thrilling rush of being scared.
Source: Scott Rodgerson (Unsplash)
What is it that has us craving media that terrifies us? Based on the nature of the human fear response, one would assume that if we identified a negative stimulus, we would go out of our way to avoid it; that we would save the racing heartbeat and sweaty palms for when we are in the face of real danger. Yet, some people not only continue to consume horror, but find a euphoric thrill from it. How can someone enjoy something designed to scare us away?
Our Brains on Fear
Psychologist Michael Apter suggests that it’s because our brains can evaluate whether a threat is genuine - if we believe that we are safe despite the perceived danger, our fear can give way to exhilaration. We relish in the protection that the screen provides in acting as a safety barrier between us and the demons and ghouls. The beauty in horror, however, is that our excitement comes from the belief that, for even a moment, we are in danger.
Jump scares are a classic trope in horror movies. The painfully long silence keeps you on the edge of your seat and just when you think you’re safe…BAM! In kicks your ‘fight or flight’ response, just like in the face of a real threat.. A hormonal release of adrenaline, cortisol and dopamine courses through our blood while the brain tries to determine the best course of action to survive.
From chases down never-ending hallways to the eerie warning music, psychologist Dolf Zillman explains our enjoyment of scenes like these with his excitation-transfer theory. He suggests that as suspense builds, the intensity of negative emotions increases and increases until the sudden euphoric release when the threat is resolved. It’s not hard to understand then why some people actively seek this out; this physiological experience is a ready-made rollercoaster of adrenaline rush we can easily experience from the comforts of our home.
Who Loves Horror?
True to its name, there are many people who are repulsed by the gore, fear and creepiness of horror movies, making you wonder: What type of person enjoys it?
You probably know someone who jumps at the chance to go to haunted houses or is weirdly excited about swimming with sharks - your local adrenaline junkie or, in psychological terms, a sensation-seeker. Sensation-seeking people crave novel experiences and are willing to take risks for the sake of such stimulation. This trait tends to peak at around the ages of 18-20 and is more prominent in males than females. When a sensation-seeker’s ‘fight or flight’ instinct is triggered, they release more of our ‘feel good’ hormone, dopamine, than most other people.
Regardless, there’s no denying that horror is a hugely popular genre in film that has had major cultural effects on society. Whilst not everyone might enjoy it, there is something to be said for the universal ability of the horror genre to terrify us. Horror accesses fears that we share as humans, providing a way to conceptualise and give shape to the evil and frightening. It’s an opportunity to explore the human condition as characters attempt to overcome both inner and outer struggles. As an audience, there’s an exhilarating rush of emotions that comes from facing the unknown that most of us rarely experience in our daily lives – whether or not there is a happy ending.