Source 1 Flashcards
Admin-Risepoint. “The Psychology of Fear.” CSP Global, 21 Feb. 2023, online.csp.edu/resources/article/pyschology-of-fear/#:~:text=Horror%20entertainment%20can%20trigger%20the,fans%20habitually%20watch%20scary%20movies. (25 cards)
Psychological Mechanisms of Enjoying Fear
When watching horror films, the brain activates fear responses in a controlled setting, allowing individuals to experience real fear without actual danger. This can trigger feelings of excitement, which some find enjoyable.
Fear and the Safety of Control
Horror films offer a controlled environment where viewers can experience fear in a safe space. This sense of control helps people feel excitement without the accompanying threat of actual harm.
Adrenaline and Enjoyment
The thrill of watching horror movies is tied to adrenaline. As fear triggers a fight-or-flight response, the body releases adrenaline, which boosts energy and alertness, making the experience thrilling and pleasurable for many viewers.
Cognitive Dissonance in Fear
Audiences know that the fear in horror films isn’t real, which creates cognitive dissonance. This dissonance, or mental conflict, often enhances the excitement of the experience because the brain is aware that the threat is not genuine.
Fear and the Reward System
After experiencing fear, the brain often rewards the individual with feelings of relief or pleasure, which contributes to the overall enjoyment. This combination of fear and relief activates the brain’s reward centers.
Exposure to Fear and Resilience
Repeated exposure to fear in horror films can help individuals build psychological resilience. As viewers learn to cope with fictional fear, they often feel a sense of achievement, which contributes to the thrill and enjoyment.
Fear and the Exploration of Boundaries
Watching horror films allows people to explore their boundaries in a safe environment. The fear experienced is perceived as non-threatening, which encourages viewers to push their emotional limits and enjoy the process of overcoming it.
Social Bonding Through Shared Fear
Watching a horror movie in a group setting can create shared emotional experiences, which strengthen social bonds. The collective response to fear, like screaming or laughing together, can enhance the enjoyment of the film.
Emotional Catharsis
Fear in horror films allows for emotional catharsis. The intense emotional release associated with watching something frightening can provide relief from real-life stress, making the experience enjoyable in the process.
Evolutionary Root of Thrill-Seeking
The enjoyment of fear may also have evolutionary roots. Early humans learned to associate fear with survival, and in modern contexts, experiencing controlled fear can provide a sense of mastery and control over the environment.
Activation of Fear Response
The thrill in horror films may be due to how the brain’s fear-processing centers, like the amygdala, react to perceived threats. This reaction mirrors the body’s natural fear response, even though the fear is not real, which can create an exciting physiological reaction.
Neurochemical Rewards of Fear
Experiencing fear while watching horror movies may trigger the release of dopamine and endorphins. These neurochemicals help create a pleasurable feeling of excitement, which can explain why people enjoy the fear associated with horror films.
Role of Emotional Distress in Enjoyment
Horror films often manipulate emotional distress and discomfort to create tension. This distress, when followed by relief or resolution, can enhance the sense of satisfaction and enjoyment, as the viewer’s body and mind experience an emotional “reset.”
Fear as a Challenge
For many, the enjoyment of horror films comes from the challenge they present. Fear, when controlled and safely managed, can make the experience feel like an emotional game, one that people play to test their own limits.
Fear and The Sense of Control
The fact that viewers know they are safe during horror films enhances their sense of control, which paradoxically makes the fear more enjoyable. By being able to stop the film at any time or turn it off, viewers feel empowered in the face of the fear the film generates.
Desensitization and Thrill
Repeated exposure to horror films may lead to desensitization, making viewers less sensitive to fear over time. This can increase the thrill-seeking aspect of horror, as viewers chase greater emotional experiences by watching more intense films.
Fear and the Psychology of “Morbid Curiosity”
The enjoyment of fear in horror films is linked to “morbid curiosity”—the psychological drive to explore the unknown and experience emotions that are generally considered unpleasant in a safe environment.
Fear’s Role in Building Empathy
Watching horror films involves vicariously experiencing fear through characters. This emotional involvement can enhance empathy, as viewers connect with characters who face terrifying situations, leading to greater emotional engagement with the movie.
Fear as a Psychological Test
Horror films often act as a psychological test, allowing individuals to confront their fears in a controlled setting. This test of emotional endurance can lead to personal growth and increased tolerance for fear, which adds to the overall enjoyment.
Excitement Over Threats
Fear causes an increase in excitement because it heightens anticipation. The looming threat of something scary happening in a film stimulates the brain, creating a sense of suspense, which many viewers find exhilarating.
Quote on the Role of Fear
“Horror entertainment can trigger the fight-or-flight response, which comes with a boost in adrenaline, endorphins, and dopamine. The brain can then process surroundings and conclude that the experience is not a genuine threat.” (CSP Global, 2023)
Idea: This quote emphasizes how horror films stimulate real biological reactions of fear, but viewers’ knowledge of safety allows them to enjoy the experience without actual danger.
Quote on the Need for Control
“When we watch horror films, we are in control of the experience, which is why the thrill of fear becomes enjoyable. We know we are safe, and that makes the fear feel exciting.” (CSP Global, 2023)
Idea: This highlights the sense of control viewers have during horror films, where they can safely experience fear without any real risk.
Quote on Desensitization
“Repeated exposure to fear-inducing media, like horror films, can lead to desensitization, where individuals become less responsive to fearful stimuli.” (CSP Global, 2023)
Idea: Over time, repeated exposure to horror movies can reduce emotional sensitivity to fear, leading to a desire for more intense experiences.
Quote on Fear and Social Bonding
“Experiencing fear together can create a sense of unity and support, strengthening social connections.” (CSP Global, 2023)
Idea: Watching horror films with others enhances social bonds by providing shared emotional experiences, strengthening connections through fear.
