For as long as I can remember I’ve loved the feeling of being scared, whether it be thanks to the pages of a classic novel, or via an on-screen depiction of menace.
It’s a weird one to explain to those not fond of the horror genre.
Sure, the content is unsettling, it can certainly play on the nerves and at times it shreds the boundaries of taste, and yet, we enthusiasts keep coming back for more.
Does that imply I have a dark streak? Should I be concerned? For that matter, should the rest of society be concerned?
Thankfully the answers to each of the above is no.
Dr David Berle, a senior lecturer in clinical psychology at the University of Technology Sydney, says psychologists have suggested there are at least four possible reasons some enjoy watching scary things.
He does stress however, there is still little evidence to back up each contention.
“Even though approaching fearful situations – or fearful movies – isn’t always pleasant, the reduction in fear that occurs when the scary part of a movie or experience is resolved can serve to ‘negatively reinforce’ the tendency to watch such movies,” said Dr Berle of the first line of reasoning.
“In other words, the pleasant process of being relieved from fear at the conclusion of a movie/experience can make it more likely that a person will watch similar movies in the future.”
Dr Berle said the second assertion claimed the way in which people attribute their fearful feelings can be important.
“Whereas the feelings arising from a horror movie or amusement park ride might be interpreted as a sign of ‘excitement’, fearful feelings that arise unpredictably or in a less controlled way can be interpreted as a sign of actual impending danger – and the seemingly less-controllable sensations perceived as less pleasant,” he said. “Indeed, if we pay money to go on an amusement park ride and don’t feel excited, then we may ask for a refund!”
Quoting C. Jarett from the 2011 work The lure of horror, Dr Berle says another possible reason for genre passion aligns with play, in that “exposing ourselves to scary situations can allow us to rehearse responses to threatening situations from a point of relative safety”.
Dr Berle says the fourth possible reason links the relationship between the ‘’horror’’ and humour.
“Horror is a relatively ‘complex’ emotion that often involves fear, disgust and even at times an element of humour,” he said.
“The humour in horror is thought to arise partly from the incongruity between what one is expecting (in the plot of a movie for instance) and one’s knowledge of reality.
“For instance, the idea of hundreds of zombies coming to eat us can sometimes seem such an outrageous idea, that it becomes humorous and therefore can lead to a pleasurable experience that we would later seek out.”
Matt Lawrence
My passion is providing news that matters to the community of which I serve. I have been doing so now for more than 25 years and my dedication remains as fresh as it was when starting out in the industry.
My passion is providing news that matters to the community of which I serve. I have been doing so now for more than 25 years and my dedication remains as fresh as it was when starting out in the industry.
