Source 2 Flashcards
(25 cards)
How does watching a scary movie affect your heart rate?
Your heart rate increases by up to 42%, from 78 to 110 beats per minute, in response to fear, preparing your body for a fight-or-flight reaction.
What is the role of adrenaline during a horror movie?
Adrenaline increases heart rate, blood flow to muscles, and breathing to prepare your body for fear, contributing to the feeling of heightened alertness.
Why do our pupils dilate when we’re scared?
Our pupils dilate to allow more light to enter, helping us see better in case we need to act quickly, like fleeing or fighting a threat.
What changes occur in your body as a result of fear during a horror film?
Fear triggers the release of dopamine (a pleasure neurotransmitter) and primes muscles for action, all while diverting blood flow away from the gut to focus on crucial functions.
What is “horripilation” and why does it happen when watching horror films?
Horripilation is the phenomenon of getting goosebumps. It happens when adrenaline causes tiny muscles around hair follicles to contract, usually in response to fear.
How does the body physically prepare itself for fear when watching a horror film?
The body releases adrenaline, causing heart rate and blood pressure to rise, muscles to become primed for action, and breathing to increase. This mimics a real-life flight-or-fight situation.
How does the body react to a scary situation in terms of breathing?
The muscles in the airway relax, leading to bronchodilation, which allows more air to enter the lungs and enhances breathing capacity during moments of fear.
How does fear affect the blood flow during a scary scene in a movie?
Blood is redirected away from the gut to more essential areas like the heart and brain, preparing the body for potential action.
Why might watching a horror movie be more intense if you’re alone versus with others?
Fear responses are often stronger when we’re alone because there is no social context to calm our reactions, and the experience can feel more immediate or real.
How do environmental factors influence the intensity of our fear during a horror movie?
Factors like darkness, first-time viewing, or the presence of other people can amplify the physiological response, as these conditions often make the experience feel more immersive or threatening.
What is the connection between adrenaline and horror movie enjoyment?
While adrenaline prepares the body for action, it also heightens sensory experiences, making the viewer more engaged and increasing the thrill of the film, which can lead to enjoyment despite the fear.
How does the body’s natural fear response contribute to the psychological experience of horror films?
The body’s fear response triggers heightened alertness, which could enhance the psychological thrill of watching a horror film, as the viewer feels physically involved in the suspense.
What role does dopamine play in watching horror films?
Dopamine is released as a reward when the viewer experiences excitement or fear, which can be thrilling. The mix of fear and enjoyment produces a psychological paradox that many find pleasurable.
Why do horror films elicit both fear and enjoyment simultaneously?
The fear response, although unpleasant, can trigger a physiological high (adrenaline, dopamine) that enhances enjoyment. This combination of stress and reward may explain why some people love the thrill of scary movies.
“From the time humans lived in caves, these responses are there to save us during a flight, fight or fright situation.”
The instinctual fear response has evolved for survival, and in modern times, it still drives our physiological reactions to horror movies, albeit in a more controlled environment.
“The lens also allows us to see better for distance vision, so don’t sit too close to the screen!”
Fear responses may enhance visual focus, but sitting too close to the screen could negate the physiological benefit of dilated pupils for better clarity.
“Adrenaline does last for a few minutes in our body, so it takes a short while for our heart rate to reach resting levels again after a spooky film.”
After the adrenaline surge triggered by fear, the body gradually returns to normal, but this lingering excitement can contribute to the after-effects of the horror experience.
“It’s perhaps no accident that phenomenon is known as horripilation. Even the word suggests being spooked out.”
The term “horripilation” directly connects the physical sensation of goosebumps with the psychological experience of fear, enhancing the overall emotional impact of horror films.
“Even before watching the film, our heart rates would be slightly elevated…”
Anticipation of fear can start to trigger our fight-or-flight responses even before the scary parts begin, increasing the suspense and heightening the thrill when the horror arrives.
When something spooky on screen makes our heart beat faster, our breathing rate climbs too
The body’s automatic response to fear increases both heart rate and breathing, preparing the body for immediate action, which makes the horror experience more intense.
How does the release of adrenaline during horror films contribute to the enjoyment of fear?
Adrenaline triggers the fight-or-flight response, making us feel more alive and alert. This heightened physiological state intensifies the thrill, and the body’s reward system (via dopamine) makes the fear enjoyable rather than overwhelming.
How does the paradox of fear and enjoyment explain why people seek out horror films?
The combination of fear-induced physiological responses (elevated heart rate, adrenaline) and the release of dopamine creates a sense of thrill that people find pleasurable. This psychological paradox—where we enjoy fear because it stimulates excitement and reward—explains why horror films attract repeat viewers.
How does the physiological reaction of “horripilation” enhance the enjoyment of horror films?
Goosebumps (horripilation) are caused by adrenaline and are a physical manifestation of fear. This bodily response contributes to the sensation of being truly immersed in the film, reinforcing the emotional engagement and adding to the thrill of the experience.
Why do people enjoy horror films despite the physiological discomfort of fear?
The fear response activates the sympathetic nervous system, but this discomfort is often short-lived. The body’s ability to recover from the fear-induced physiological state (e.g., faster heart rate, deeper breathing) is perceived as rewarding, enhancing the sense of accomplishment and pleasure once the film ends.
