Why Do Some People Like Scary Movies?

Where does some people’s joy of fear come from? If we take a closer look at the words of the famous scientist and psychologist Arthur Westermayr, ” from the very beginning of human thought, fear has been treated with contempt.”  If this statement is true, why is it that so many people like fear?

Maybe there is no genuine and complete answer. However, we will try to find the root of this one feeling. Let’s get started!

The joy of controlled fear

We begin by referring to the testimony of sociologist Margee Kerr, who also holds a permanent position at an attraction called House of Terror , in Pittsburgh, USA. For her , the key is simply control.

What kind of control is Kerr referring to? The answer is quite simple. Every time the human brain experiences fear in a danger-free environment, the psychological reaction that occurs can be very funny, hence the joy some feel in such situations.

“Nothing in life is something to be afraid of. It should therefore be understood “

– Marie Curie –

In this statement, Kerr adds the fact that  coping with a situation that has led to high levels of stress for our brains leaves remnants of self-confidence  and a positive, enviable feeling. Simply a cocktail that allows our brain to enjoy a feeling that really should only be negative.

What is fear – really?

Do we really know what fear actually is? Fear is usually explained as  a series of emotions related to a psychological process that indicates possible dangers, stress or exclusively negative situations.

They are actually  a number of systems that are activated psychologically and behaviorally in threatening situations.  This happens very fast. At first glance, our brains are already aware of the kind of fear that has arisen in us.

Obviously, if our brain interprets the kind of fear we encounter as a controlled situation, we can enjoy it.  That is, a horror movie, a carnival or a celebration of Halloween…

Now, if our brains experience a fear that cannot be linked to a controlled situation, such as a dangerous situation that could lead to death or injury, a robbery or the like, you can be sure that there is no joy associated with the experience. , and the real and uncontrolled feeling of terror is powerful, affecting both mind and body.

The conditions for being afraid

Can a person be conditioned to suffer from terror?  If we look more closely at the experiment ” Conditioned Emotional Reactions ” which was carried out in 1920 by Rosalie Rayner and John Watson, we can conclude that; yes, you can.

In this mentioned experiment, the researchers created  a phobia in a boy who was about 9 months old. In fact, the study described step by step the entire process they performed to initiate fear. Today, this experiment would be considered unethical, but it still helps to shed light on this phenomenon.

It suggests that  our brains can actually be made perfectly conditioned to experience fear. This fear will again, when experienced within a framework of control, be perceived as extremely rewarding for many people.

Psychological reactions to fear

The positive or negative reactions to fear can be understood from the psychological reactions that occur in our brains. According to stimuli received, we will be able to interpret and understand this feeling.

Within our limbic system, deep inside the temporal part of our brain, we find the area called the amygdala. This subcortical structure is responsible for defining whether the feeling we experience is “entertainment fear” or a “real fear”.

In a situation where these feelings occur, we can react in different ways. We may want to escape, attack, run… anyway, our bodies will respond by releasing adrenaline and increasing cortisol and blood sugar levels.

Is this big change in our bodies normal ? In fact,  if you are in a controlled environment and you are fully aware that there is no real danger, this is going to be experienced as a great pleasure for the whole body. You will be able to enjoy it without experiencing any real threat.

“Fear is the little darkroom where all the negatives are revealed.”

-Michael Pritchard-

So now you know. If everything is under control, the joy of fear can be a tool to improve your mood. A way to give your brain an impulse that gives it a feast of substances that it loves without being harmed.