People React to Horror Differently
Not everyone is equally excited by horror stories and scary facts, though. Some of us are more drawn to frightening tales than others. Usually, people high in sensation-seeking are likelier to enjoy a horror film than those who often avoid novel, risky, or intense experiences.
People with lower empathy levels also usually appreciate a horrifying tale more than those who are highly empathetic. That doesn't mean that empathic people hate scary movies or that only psychopaths like watching them, but the experience of seeing a frightening film can be more painful for people who quickly put themselves into the characters’ shoes.
Horror Media Can Help to Cope With Stress
Contrary to what many might assume, consuming horror media can be therapeutic. According to one study, people who frequently watched horror movies were less psychologically distressed by the pandemic.
People who were fans of the apocalyptic horror subgenre also felt more prepared for the additional waves of pandemic. Apparently, people who are familiar with being exposed to horror and fear develop the ability to cope with stressful and anxiety-inducing situations.
The Excitement of Being Scared, According to Neuroscience
According to Irving Biederman, a specialist in cognitive neuroscience and a Professor of Neuroscience at USC, being scared can be exciting and addictive. “We like novelty, something that departs from our everyday experience,” he told USC News. “Some of the attraction of being scared comes from the deviation of having a new experience that we know is safe.”
But we have to understand that what we’re witnessing isn't real. Otherwise, we won’t gain any enjoyment from it. “Your amygdala will give you a fear response, an avoidance response to stay away from something legitimately frightful,” Biederman explained. “So, for a child, going to one of these haunted houses could be truly scary.”
The Modern Manifestations of Our Fears
What we find most frightening also provides some insight into our societies. Tok Thompson, an anthropology and communication associate professor at USC Dornsife, explained that each generation and culture will create monsters most relevant to their fears. “There’s an interesting role these monsters play in shaping our cultures,” he told USC News.
“And people are constantly reinventing these stories to talk about what they fear and are haunted by,” Thompson notes. In recent years, evil robots and internet monsters, like Slender Man and shows like Black Mirror, have been on the rise. “When these new monsters come up, that shows you people aren’t too sure about some of this new technology, that maybe there is something to be frightened about.”
Share Your Spooky Scare Facts!
Have you learned some terrifying fun facts that you’re going to share on Halloween night with a flashlight illuminating your face? We hope you’re enjoying this creepy and disturbing list. Keep upvoting the creepy facts you find most shocking, and feel free to share any of your own creepy fun facts in the comments.
