"The whole brain is responsive to a potential threat, at the expense of anything else."
Psychologists have found evidence that fans of apocalyptic movies may be more resilient and better prepared to deal with the coronavirus pandemic than the rest of us.
Psychologists have found that people who have been watching movies depicting social chaos and the collapse of global order are better prepared for the virus
A guide to the new top scares of the time.
People who indicated that they were fans of horror films and who “engaged more frequently with frightening fictional phenomena” were experiencing lower levels of psychological distress during the pandemic than those who preferred other genres.
Findings suggest horror fiction—in the form of literature, comics, or film—gives those who engage with it a scenario that helps them build up effective emotional coping strategies.
Why is it that some people love all things spooky on screen while others can only watch through parted fingers? What makes horror films so scary yet so alluring? Alok Patel attempts to answer these questions through interviews with horror specialists.
Chainsaw-wielding maniacs and brain-munching zombies are common tropes in horror films and haunted houses, which, in normal years, are popular Halloween-season destinations for thrill seekers. But what makes such fearsome experiences so compelling, and why do we actively seek them out in frightful recreational settings?
New research investigated where the “Goldilocks Zone” – neither too frightening or too tame – of enjoyable terror sat within the context of a haunted house, by sending in 110 participants and observing how they reacted.
Danish research shows that horror entertains us most effectively when it triggers a distinct physical response – measured by changes in heart rate – but is not so scary that we become overwhelmed. And the fine line between fun and an unpleasant experience can vary from person to person.
There are psychological and immunological benefits to experiencing fear without any real threat, experts say.
A study looks at the ingredients of a good scare.
Watching horror movies boosts adrenaline and mood, researchers say. Here's the lowdown on jump scares, morbid curiosity, and the therapeutic benefits of being scared.
Films that terrify you today may improve your fear responses tomorrow—and could provide relief from anxiety and stress.
It’s just the latest study exploring the mind/body connection between fear and fun.
Andersen and colleagues showed that fear and enjoyment coexist in a haunted-house experience and that there is a “sweet spot” of maximum enjoyment for each individual when the right level of fear is reached.
Know someone who loves horror movies or relishes a good survivalist docuseries? Turns out their movie preferences might have made them more prepared for our current circumstances.
The concept of "recreational fear" may explain our attraction to horror.
