The Science Of Why We Love Scary Movies
Humans no longer need to fight for survival. Instead, most of us modern folk get our dose of adrenaline by watching scary movies. But why do we enjoy horror films? Where’s the pleasure in fright? If a curious alien comes, how do we explain why we like intentionally scaring ourselves? To find out, let’s explore the psychological basis behind this seemingly inexplicable hobby. Basic Instinct The survival instinct of a modern human is mostly dormant and almost atrophied compared to wild animals. We have long distanced ourselves from primal threats of nature and cocooned ourselves into a comfortable living environment, no longer having to worry about extreme environmental conditions or sudden tiger attacks. But something still compels us to look for danger. Why do we go skydiving? Why does Tom Cruise do all his own stunts? There’s a certain thrill and stimulation that comes with putting your life in danger. People describe feeling the most alive just when their life
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