Why do many people like watching horror movies?

The unique charm of horror movies lies in:

Fear can produce pleasure, which can make you excited.

The excitement and excitement brought by horror movies are real and easily addictive.

1. First of all, horror movies may not be as scary as you think.

Physiological research shows that when people play dangerous games, the pituitary gland secretes many chemicals similar to anesthetics, such as endorphin skin. These drugs can be used to slow down the abnormal heart rate and hypertension caused by adrenaline, play a calming role, and reduce the probability of cerebral thrombosis and stroke in fear.

In other words, it seems that you are experiencing a horrible picture, but your body will take the initiative to help you calm down. The feeling of horror is generally not as great as you think.

Horror movies can also vent their emotions.

Horror movies are also a way of venting, and the specific principle is actually similar to nightmares.

Relaxation theory holds that the tension brought by horror movies can make the audience relax immediately after watching the movie.

These awakenings will turn into positive emotions after the horrible stimulation, that is, after the movie.

This process from tension to extreme relaxation will make people feel very comfortable and more identify with the real environment.

Probably similar to the person who was scared by shouting on the roller coaster in the amusement park, and said that he was "addicted" after the end.

3. Horror movies are addictive.

For horror movies, it is not only the extreme relaxation after the end that makes people addicted. According to the theory of continuous reward, the high physiological activation caused by horror movies is sustainable and can bring us exciting experiences continuously.

However, this awakening is adaptive because of the instinct to maintain psychological or physical balance. Everyone has a different degree of awakening. For those who like to watch, they will constantly seek more violent stimuli like "drug resistance".

Because being awakened by a horror movie may itself be a kind of self-reward.

4. The brain enjoys this pleasure.

Watching horror movies actually belongs to a kind of "benign self-abuse", which makes people happy.

Physiological instinct tells us that this is a dangerous or painful behavior, but cognitive understanding of this behavior is actually safe and will bring happiness.

In addition, in the brain, the brain regions that perceive disgust and pleasure are closely related, and even partially overlap. After the brain is stimulated by "security threat", both brain regions that perceive disgust and pleasure will release a pleasant chemical substance, so it will also give people a positive feeling.

5, personal character

Many people's psychology of pursuing excitement and their adventurous quality lead to horror movies becoming an indispensable thing in daily life.

Some people tend to choose exciting jobs, such as test pilots, brain surgeons and bomb disposal teams. They enjoy the feeling of fear, and this "hit-and-run" reaction is very pleasant for them, even simulating sexual impulse. Psychologists have long established the characteristics of thrill-seeking personality obsessed with roller coasters, gambling and extreme sports.