Why are some humans greatly attracted to horror movies while others are not? Is it having the feeling of adrenaline? Is it to have a sense of accomplishment after watching the movie? Or is it thanks to the artistic elements that happen during the movies?
Horror movies are, as the name suggests, designed to raise negative emotions in viewers—fear, dread, anxiety, and disgust. Why would anybody in their right mind seek out to watch such movies?
Past psychology studies suggest that this can be due to the fact that some people watch horror movies as a stimulation to feel some sort of “ adrenaline rush ”. These horror films trigger a psychological response that releases endorphins, creating a sensation of thrill even while watching things such as gore, distortions, and other dark human nature. Statistically, the audiences that tend to enjoy horror movies the most are people open to experiences that appreciate the imaginative such as disturbing elements of horror. High sensation seekers also tend to enjoy horror as they enjoy the excitement of being scared.
As much as humans enjoy the elements of horror movies, that’s not always the case. 45% of the population do not find horror to be in their element of choice. This could be due to the intense suspense that goes on during these films or the simple act of having low tolerance for intense scenarios. Statistically, the people who enjoy horror films the least are those with lower sensation-seeking traits, meaning they are more comfortable with a certain routine and avoid/ dislike excitement. Simpler psychological researches suggest preference and/or trauma is the most common factor that steer away certain viewers from horror.
In conclusion, horror films are designed to attract and draw away potential viewers. Although it does a great job at this, understanding the psychology of horror consumption allows us to enjoy the genre more and provides us more insight as to why we love or hate horror films. Next time you think about watching a horror film, consider why you like or dislike it so much.
