Why People Attracted To Horror Movies
Devonne Waters
Ron Guthrie
EH-101
5 Dec 2012
Attracted to Terror Horror movies are known as adrenaline boosters. People go to see the movie just to boost their heart rates. For example, a couple arrives at the movie theatre ready to see the newest Michael Myers movie. At the beginning of the movie tension is built to get the movie viewers ready to meet the main attraction, Michael Myers. When he finally comes into the movie the movie viewers’ heart rate starts to rises, because they are either scared or excited. At the end of the movie their hearts are almost beating out of their chests, but that will not stop them from going to see the movie again. People are attracted to horror movies for many different reasons, but their brains play a …show more content…
This theory bears some scrutiny, and really in the end does not hold much weight. Even the earliest societies had their “monsters” or stories of gods, men and beasts that committed unspeakable horrors. Some studies suggest that the real draw to scary movies is the feeling of relief when they are over. Other research, especially a 2007 study conducted by Eduardo Andrade and Joel B. Cohen, argues that the reason people like watching scary movies is that they are a way to experience both positive and negative emotions simultaneously. One of the stranger findings in the science of fear is that the stronger the negative emotions that the person is experiencing during horror films, the more likely he or she is to enjoy the genre. At the same time negative and sometimes absolutely horrific images play across the screen, the person watching the film is also experiencing positive emotions. This dual emotional state may reinforce the need to continue to watch horror films since it is an instance where it is acceptable to feel in two contrary states. Such an explanation might also account for why some people may enjoy films that are very sad. People may enjoy such a film while at the same time they are crying their eyes
Ron Guthrie
EH-101
5 Dec 2012
Attracted to Terror Horror movies are known as adrenaline boosters. People go to see the movie just to boost their heart rates. For example, a couple arrives at the movie theatre ready to see the newest Michael Myers movie. At the beginning of the movie tension is built to get the movie viewers ready to meet the main attraction, Michael Myers. When he finally comes into the movie the movie viewers’ heart rate starts to rises, because they are either scared or excited. At the end of the movie their hearts are almost beating out of their chests, but that will not stop them from going to see the movie again. People are attracted to horror movies for many different reasons, but their brains play a …show more content…
This theory bears some scrutiny, and really in the end does not hold much weight. Even the earliest societies had their “monsters” or stories of gods, men and beasts that committed unspeakable horrors. Some studies suggest that the real draw to scary movies is the feeling of relief when they are over. Other research, especially a 2007 study conducted by Eduardo Andrade and Joel B. Cohen, argues that the reason people like watching scary movies is that they are a way to experience both positive and negative emotions simultaneously. One of the stranger findings in the science of fear is that the stronger the negative emotions that the person is experiencing during horror films, the more likely he or she is to enjoy the genre. At the same time negative and sometimes absolutely horrific images play across the screen, the person watching the film is also experiencing positive emotions. This dual emotional state may reinforce the need to continue to watch horror films since it is an instance where it is acceptable to feel in two contrary states. Such an explanation might also account for why some people may enjoy films that are very sad. People may enjoy such a film while at the same time they are crying their eyes