Like Noel Carroll in “Why Horror?” and Sharon Begley in “Why Our Brains Love Horror Movies,” Anthony Rivas poses the question, “Why Do We Watch Horror Films?” in the online journal, Medical Daily. Rivas explores and provides evidence for two main theories. First, he looks at the notion that people want to watch something that confronts or addresses what he calls our “archetypal” fears. In other words, people want to put them selves in scary situations, like horror movies, to understand how society as a whole understands the typical notion of fear. Second, Rivas looks at our attraction to horror films as a way to derive pleasure even if we are very scared in the process. He compares it to what happens in the brain during other thrill seeking activities such as skydiving or bungee jumping.
It’s the second theory, that horror films give viewers a psychological ride that is both enjoyable and frightening at the same time that comports with both Carroll and Begley. Rivas cites a 2007 study in the Journal of Consumer Research where participants were asked to watch horror films and rate their emotions as a result. The findings revealed that, “ … although all participants expressed similar fears at the end of the clips, those who reported being horror movie lovers expressed more happiness than those who were horror movie haters.” (Rivas, p. 2) This point of view is similar to that offered by Carroll when he says, “Whatever distress horror causes, as a probably price for our fascination, is outweighed for the average consumer by the pleasure we derive in having our curiosity stimulated and rewarded.” (Carroll p. 290) Further, Rivas and Carroll are shown to be on the same page when Rivas again cites the Journal of Consumer Research study by noting, “ In the real world, people simultaneously can experience both happiness and sadness, exhilaration and anxiety. People enjoy excitement even if it’s from a negative source.” (Rivas, p. 2) Finally, in addition to the fact that fear and pleasure are related, Begley’s research explores the counterintuitive nature of this reality by confirming Rivas findings when she says, “… the stronger the negative emotions (fear, worry, etc) a person reports experiencing during horror films, the more likely he or she is to enjoy the genre.” (Begley p. 2)
One of the interesting things about Rivas exploration of our attraction to horror films is his inclusion of some biological facts alongside the psychological theories. Thrill seekers or those wanting to experience the roller coaster effects of watching horror movies tend to be more responsive to the neurotransmitter dopamine. (Rivas p. 3) When dopamine is released by nerve cells is sends signals to other nerve cells thereby creating the sensation enjoyed by viewers of horror movies. The rush can last for a long time as well. Rivas’ cites Dr. Glenn Sparks of Purdue University when he says, “He calls it the ‘excitation transfer process’ that is the culmination of a heightened heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration process that can linger after a movie.” (Rivas, p. 3) For those who like horror movies the pleasure seems to be a full body experience.
Rivas, Anthony. ‘Why Do We Watch Horror Films?’. Medical Daily. N.p., 2014. Web. 10 Nov. 2014.
Wikipedia,. ‘Dopamine’. N.p., 2014. Web. 10 Nov. 2014.