In short
Why some people enjoy horror despite fear being a negative emotion.
Key claims
Scary moments trigger adrenaline, boosting emotion and energy; horror can feel like safe “new experiences” (e.g., haunted houses) and satisfies curiosity about the dark side of the psyche. Pleasure requires a protective frame—people must feel safe and understand the situation isn’t truly harmful.
Notable examples
watching a scary TV show with a friend; haunted house adventures.
Guest backgrounds
No guests are mentioned in the provided transcript. Demographics: younger people are more attracted to horror; men are more likely fans than women; women often prefer horror with happy endings. Additional claim: oxytocin released in frightening but controllable situations can increase bonding/affinity.
Written by AI. May contain mistakes. Listen to the episode to check what was said.
Chapters
Tap a time to open that second in VOThe Allure of Horror Films
0:30 to 0:54
Explores why some people love horror despite its frightening nature.
“With SUVs made to move with your rhythm.”
The Allure of Horror Films
0:56 to 2:10
Explores why some people love horror despite its frightening nature.
“You're sitting on your couch and watching a scary film as the darkness pushes in around you.”
Transcript
Automatic transcript. May contain errors.0:28This episode is brought to you by Google Chrome. of America for a reason. With SUVs made to move with your rhythm. The versatile Equinox tackles your entire day. The spacious Traverse fits your crew and your whole weekend. And tracks bring style with value you can count on. All infused with tech that has your back. So your drive always hits the right chord. Chevrolet. Together let's drive. It's Halloween night. You're sitting on your couch and watching a scary film as the darkness pushes in around you. You tremble in anticipation, preparing yourself for the first jump.
1:15Some people just love a good scare, but fear isn't like a positive emotion, so why is this? Here are some interesting facts. When something jumps out and scares us, adrenaline rushes through our bodies, heightens our emotions, and makes us have a lot of energy. Horror also can make us feel like we're having new experiences like going to a haunted house and feeling super adventurous. The research also shows that human beings are inherently curious and a lot of us are interested in safely exploring the dark side of the human psyche. To actually experience pleasure from horror, people have to be in a protective frame which means they feel safe and they realize the situation isn't actually harmful to themselves and others.
1:59A survey found that younger people are more attracted to the scary genre. Men are more likely to be horror fans than women, and women tend to like horror movies more when they have a happy ending. Finally, research suggests that the oxytocin our body releases in frightening but controllable situations bonds us. For example, watching a scary TV show with a friend can facilitate feelings of affinity and closeness. Have no fear! Chosen Foods is here to defend your favorite foods from the forces of seedy oils and sketchy ingredients with cooking oils, salad dressings, and mayo, all powered by the good fats from 100 % pure avocado oil and simple, delicious ingredients.
2:36Chosen Foods.
From the publisher
The Psychology Behind Why (Some) People Love Horror
30 Oct 2024
---
Why do some people love scary movies, Steven King novels, and haunted houses? Two of our authors wanted to investigate the booming global horror industry. Here’s what they learned through their research. Happy Halloween! 🎃
Read the full article here: https://s.hbr.org/4e26uHz
—
#happyhalloween #horror #funfacts
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices




