People love horror movies for a number of reasons, including the thrill of being scared, the catharsis that horror provides and the rush that can come from watching someone else take a beating. But have you ever wondered why we seek out these kinds of experiences? There are several psychological factors that could potentially explain this behavior. You may have read that the main reason why we love horror movies is the release of adrenaline and other hormones. But the truth is, it’s much more than that. When we watch horror flicks, our brains react in a way that makes us feel powerful and calm. Here are some psychological reasons why you love watching horror movies:
We’re all familiar with the stereotype of the scary movie fan: a socially awkward shut-in who hides in their basement and watches horror films with a case of Mountain Dew on their lap. And while there’s some truth that most people who like to watch horror movies are probably a little bit creepy, many of us are just normal folks who enjoy being scared by fictional stories. If you’re wondering why some people love watching scary films—whether it’s horror or otherwise—here are some psychological reasons why that might be happening:
It’s okay to like watching scary movies! So, you like horror movies. You might even enjoy watching them more than the average person. And while some may think this is a bad thing (as in, you’re actually a monster or something), the truth is that everyone enjoys getting scared now and again—and there’s nothing wrong with it! It’s okay to love scary stuff if that’s what brings you pleasure. We all have different things we like, and some of those things are going to be silly or even weird. And that’s great! The world would be boring if we all liked exactly the same things! In fact, one of my favorite things about scary movies is that they make me feel accepted for who I am: someone who loves adrenaline-pumping stories about killer clowns and murderous supernatural beings from beyond time and space who want nothing more than to tear apart human flesh with their teeth and claws.
When it comes to horror movies, there is no right or wrong way to enjoy them. The only thing that matters is that you’re having fun! What are some of your favorite scary movies?
