Why is it that we can’t seem to look away when it comes to horror movie? After all, they come with a seemingly endless parade of jump scares, gore, and creepy moments all designed to make us feel scared. It turns out there is a psychology behind why we love horror movies.
The Psychology Behind Why We Love Horror Movies
Our love for horror movies comes down to the idea that our fear response is anxiety followed by eagerness. When we watch a horror movie, the combination of these two reactions keeps us on edge throughout the movie. This gives us an adrenaline rush that triggers our pleasure centers and keeps us wanting more.
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On top of this, our brains also experience a feeling of control when watching a horror movie because it takes place in a make-believe environment. Ultimately, this gives us an outlet for our anxieties without real consequences and allows us to face our fears safely.
Why Do Horror Movies Make Us Happy?
Many of us love horror movies even though they bring uncomfortable feelings of fear and dread. So why do we subject ourselves to these intense emotions? It’s because of the unique thrill that horror movies provide. The combination of anxiety and eagerness creates a truly unparalleled feeling. When you’re watching a horror movie, you feel perched on the edge of your seat, and at any moment, something exciting would happen. This stimulation causes our brains to release endorphins, the hormones responsible for making us feel happy or content.
Plus, because these movies access our survival instincts, they can also be seen as an adrenaline rush. The heightened emotions give us a sense of facing danger and coming out victorious on the other end! And if that wasn’t enough to make you want to watch one, horror movies can also foster feelings of companionship when watched with friends or family members.
What Makes a Horror Movie Interesting?
Have you ever wondered what makes horror movies so interesting, despite the things that make us scared? The truth is that our complex relationship with horror movies is often advantageous, the kind of relationship where we get a thrill from being scared. This can range from mild suspense to full-blown dread.
Horror films use surprise, shock value, and suspense to keep us glued to the screen. Jump scares and unexpected twists also heighten our senses–when done right, these can create an effective tension between anticipation and fear. Horror films often draw us in by exploring the depths of human nature, particularly those darker traits we might be a bit scared to think about in real life. Whether it’s psychopaths or vengeful spirits, these films can help us make sense of some of our deepest fears while providing a safe distance from them.
Lastly, there’s something cathartic about being able to watch a horror movie as opposed to experiencing real-life scares. We’re able to feel fear without actually being in danger, which provides us with an adrenaline rush without any real consequences–which not many other genres can do.