The need to fear for fun seems counterintuitive, but it exists in most cultures on the planet. Surely you have friends who are interested in downloading some new horror movie for themselves and will watch and get scared on TV in the evening. Is this strange? You do not understand? And how do you like all sorts of fun in the form of Halloween or a parade of zombie monsters? This is how people have fun.
So why do most of us need to be scared half to death from time to time?
Psychologists have found that it is all about the circumstances of the experience of fear - although, of course, these rules are not the same for everyone.
1. For some people, fear is associated with a feeling of satisfaction
Psychiatrist David Zald has discovered peculiarities in the chemical processes taking place in the brains of people who adore such films as "The Exorcist" or "Evil Dead".
As you know, the hormone dopamine is responsible for the feeling of satisfaction and, in general, for the positive psycho-emotional mood of a person. But with it, according to the results of a 2008 University of Michigan study, opposite sensations, such as fear, are also associated.
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Zald's research at Vanderbilt University has expanded the understanding of exactly how dopamine is linked to fear. He found that in people who take pleasure in risky or dangerous situations, brain cells are often unable to regulate dopamine production. In order to stimulate the release of dopamine and enjoy it, these people need to be properly scared.
Adrenaline - which is also released in moments of danger, also gives many people pleasure - this is more true for skydiving or other extreme sports enthusiasts.
2. Emotionally tense moments are remembered for a long time and are able to unite people
People sitting in the woods around the fire and telling each other scary stories are classics. A more modest option is in the school locker room with the lights off.
The more scary, the more you want to cuddle up to each other, the less you want to be left alone. And, according to the findings of the sociologist Marge Kerr, moments of fear experienced together with other people become unforgettable.
“A stronger sense of intimacy is created between people who have experienced emotional arousal together,” Kerr said in an interview with The Atlantic. "We are social and emotional beings, we need each other in times of great stress, so our bodies tend to feel the closeness of whoever is around."
3. Right fear in the right place
The fun of Halloween is that you can get over fear with confidence in your own safety. Kerr has studied what exactly scares people in a "haunted house" in Pittsburgh called Scarehouse (translated as "house of fear"), as well as in a new horror project called The Basement (translated as "basement"), told the Atlantic. that there is a "safe fear" limit.
“This amazing response of the body, which is called 'fight or flight', is provided by the release of adrenaline, endorphins and dopamine, but only in a completely safe place, - says Kerr. - Surviving the horror of getting lost in the forest alone, having no idea where to look for help - there is no pleasure in this. But getting lost in a "haunted house" in a company with friends and under the supervision of professionals, when you know that at your first call they will come to rescue you - this can be a thrill."
Plus, wandering around a haunted house or watching a horror movie can boost self-esteem, says Kerr.
"A lot of people enjoy frightening situations because it enhances their sense of self-confidence as a result of the illusion that they have just gone through a major challenge."
So if you're a horror fanatic, watching health horror movies (preferably in good company) will do you good, some research suggests.
But what others say …
Naturally, horror films affect the human psyche. But how do they influence? Horror movies and other genres that use fear are meant to scare us. To evoke fears hidden deep in the subconscious, they effectively concentrate on forbidden desires, fear, anxiety, the dark side of the human person, war, hunger. Horror films refer to the primitive nature and primitive fears of man: vulnerability, fear of another person, society, or separation from it, loss of self-identification, fear of death, the opposite sex. That is, the most primitive aspects that both attract and repel us. Interestingly, teenagers often take methods from such films. For example, in China, Death Diaries, Bell, and Bell-2 were banned as violence increased and teens copied the behavior of characters from the film. In Russia, there was also a case when a group of teenagers lured a girl into the forest, and then killed and drank blood after watching films about vampires. But, I must say that in addition to horror films, there are other reasons for this behavior of children. Problems in socialization, lack of attention from parents and teachers, the state, etc., because films and books cannot completely replace education. Neither bad nor good. And some commit crimes and after reading books, and take methods from there. What can you do if people lack imagination?lack of attention from parents and teachers, the state, etc., after all, films and books cannot completely replace education. Neither bad nor good. And some commit crimes and after reading books, and take methods from there. What can you do if people lack imagination?lack of attention from parents and teachers, the state, etc., after all, films and books cannot completely replace education. Neither bad nor good. And some commit crimes and after reading books, and take methods from there. What can you do if people lack imagination?
Of course, the most important thinning out in watching horror movies is fear. Fear is a negative emotion, and the effect of fear on the human body has been studied quite well. Strong fear and constant (but, precisely strong), launches the program of self-destruction of the body). In 2009, RBC daily published the results of an experiment carried out by Biochemists from Washington. In this study, it was found that watching movies with scenes of violence affects people quite strongly. And it affects not only the psychological component, but also the physiological one, however, like any danger. Several volunteers were asked to watch 3 films: melodrama, documentary, and action. After each session, a blood test was taken from the volunteers. According to the results, the melodrama and documentary did not affect the composition of the blood in any way, and the action movie made the blood boil. In humans, the amount of hormones and antibodies in the blood has increased dramatically. Antibodies must fight the danger, but since the person was not distracted and watched the movie further, and did not react to the manifestations of his body, the antibodies began to look for a threat inside the body and fight it. Typically, the findings of such studies are extended to horror films. In principle, this is logical, since the manifestations of fear are in any case the same, but it is only partly logical, since there are not so many specialized studies aimed specifically at horror films. In addition, there are horror films, there are psychological ones, that is, without violence, or with a minimal amount of it. For example, films based on the classics of Stephen King, or any films where there are no bloody scenes. Antibodies must fight the danger, but since the person was not distracted and watched the movie further, and did not react to the manifestations of his body, the antibodies began to look for a threat inside the body and fight it. Typically, the findings of such studies are extended to horror films. In principle, this is logical, since the manifestations of fear are in any case the same, but it is only partly logical, since there are not so many specialized studies aimed specifically at horror films. In addition, there are horror films, there are psychological ones, that is, without violence, or with a minimal amount of it. For example, films based on the classics of Stephen King, or any films where there are no bloody scenes. Antibodies must fight the danger, but since the person was not distracted and watched the movie further, and did not react to the manifestations of his body, the antibodies began to look for a threat inside the body and fight it. Typically, the findings of such studies are extended to horror films. In principle, this is logical, since the manifestations of fear are in any case the same, but it is only partly logical, since there are not so many specialized studies aimed specifically at horror films. In addition, there are horror films, there are psychological ones, that is, without violence, or with a minimal amount of it. For example, films based on the classics of Stephen King, or any films where there are no bloody scenes.then antibodies began to look for a threat inside the body and fight it. Typically, the findings of such studies are extended to horror films. In principle, this is logical, since the manifestations of fear are the same in any case, but it is only partly logical, since there are not so many specialized studies aimed specifically at horror films. In addition, horror films are psychological, that is, without violence, or with a minimal amount of it. For example, films based on the classics of Stephen King, or any films where there are no bloody scenes.then antibodies began to look for a threat inside the body and fight it. Typically, the findings of such studies are extended to horror films. In principle, this is logical, since the manifestations of fear are in any case the same, but it is only partly logical, since there are not so many specialized studies aimed specifically at horror films. In addition, there are horror films, there are psychological ones, that is, without violence, or with a minimal amount of it. For example, films based on the classics of Stephen King, or any films where there are no bloody scenes. In addition, there are horror films, there are psychological ones, that is, without violence, or with a minimal amount of it. For example, films based on the classics of Stephen King, or any films where there are no bloody scenes. In addition, there are horror films, there are psychological ones, that is, without violence, or with a minimal amount of it. For example, films based on the classics of Stephen King, or any films where there are no bloody scenes.
Psychologists have noticed that horror movie lovers are more aggressive. Aggressiveness, a personality trait consisting in the readiness to use violent methods in the realization of goals, and readiness for this. But, the aggression of horror fans, oddly enough, is primary. Secondary aggression is developed, on the contrary, it is less developed. they are more difficult to bring to a white knee, or to piss off. When watching horror films, people experience emotions of fear, horror, anxiety, together with the heroes of the films, and have the opportunity to overcome them, cope with fear, i.e. the situation of watching a film creates more or less comfortable conditions for the viewer. The events shown on the screen cannot cause real harm, and the viewer is in complete safety and is aware of this. That is, he can cope with the threat, and adapt to such an imaginary-real threatening situation.
At the University of Texas, they also studied the influence of horror films (but precisely horror films) on the human psyche and its aggressiveness and came to the conclusion that high-quality horror films are training for human nerves. The head of the study, professor of clinical psychology, David Rudd, says that when watching horror films, we get a kind of pleasure, since our brain adequately estimates the reality of the threat. Realizing that in reality there is no danger, the viewer experiences the thrilling sensations of an adrenaline rush. In his opinion, repeated similar fear causes a certain "habit" in the brain. The habit of adrenaline, and watching horror films, by the way, was noticed not only by him, but also by other scientists. Some believe this can translate into adrenaline addiction. And the constant viewing of horror films and the desire to take risks. But David Rudd says the body "stops responding to threats, which can be invaluable in treating phobias and other mental disorders." That is, horror films can be used in clinical medicine. “Horror films and thrillers have an important function - they are a good psychotherapeutic tool to deal with your fears. Often, horror movies help relieve stress and get rid of aggression. But, especially impressionable people, I would not recommend watching such films”Yulia Galanova, director of the psychological center“Psychologist and Me”. The most interesting thing, especially impressionable people won't watch it. It's scary.which can provide irreplaceable assistance in the treatment of phobias and other mental disorders. " That is, horror films can be used in clinical medicine. “Horror films and thrillers have an important function - they are a good psychotherapeutic tool to deal with your fears. Often, horror movies help relieve stress and get rid of aggression. But, especially impressionable people, I would not recommend watching such films”Yulia Galanova, director of the psychological center“Psychologist and Me”. The most interesting thing, especially impressionable people won't watch it. It's scary.which can provide irreplaceable assistance in the treatment of phobias and other mental disorders. " That is, horror films can be used in clinical medicine. “Horror films and thrillers have an important function - they are a good psychotherapeutic tool to deal with your fears. Often, horror movies help relieve stress and get rid of aggression. But, especially impressionable people, I would not recommend watching such films”Yulia Galanova, director of the psychological center“Psychologist and Me”. The most interesting thing, especially impressionable people won't watch it. It's scary.especially impressionable people, I would not recommend watching such films”Yulia Galanova, director of the psychological center“Psychologist and Me”. The most interesting thing, especially impressionable people won't watch it. It's scary.especially impressionable people, I would not recommend watching such films”Yulia Galanova, director of the psychological center“Psychologist and Me”. The most interesting thing, especially impressionable people won't watch it. It's scary.
Another interesting fact is that every year the number of horror movie lovers is growing. And in recent years, views of horror films have increased by 65%. This trend is due to the fact that the culture is becoming more humane, and people do not have enough adrenaline. Often, even in the literature, you can see how, more recently, threats and a belt were the main methods of education. And also in politics, threats and violence. Today, this is also used, but I must say, less and less. Although wars and a belt still occur in life today. Physical punishment is a symbol of our weakness in front of the child, and positive motivation lasts much longer and works much stronger. In addition, earlier conditions for existence were much worse, and people constantly faced danger in the form of predators, fatal and non-fatal diseases. This is practically not the case today. The development of medicine has gone far ahead, and we live in houses with central heating, and the predators that most can meet are a dog or a cat. The lack of adrenaline that is released in fear comes from mountaineering, horror movies, hot air ballooning, base jiping, rides, etc. And some have crocodiles, bears, or tigers. In principle, all this is understandable. People lack natural adrenaline. And they start to get it artificially. Small doses of adrenaline are good for humans. Fear is not harmful if it is not permanent and not too strong.we draw from mountaineering, horror movies, hot air ballooning, base jiping, rides and more. And some have crocodiles, bears, or tigers. In principle, all this is understandable. People lack natural adrenaline. And they start to get it artificially. Small doses of adrenaline are good for humans. Fear is not harmful if it is not permanent and not too strong.we draw from mountaineering, horror movies, hot air ballooning, base jiping, rides and more. And some have crocodiles, bears, or tigers. In principle, all this is understandable. People lack natural adrenaline. And they start to get it artificially. Small doses of adrenaline are good for humans. Fear is not harmful if it is not permanent and not too strong.and not too pronounced.and not too pronounced.