Why We Love to Be Scared: The Psychology of Horror and Its Unexpected Benefits
By Julia Evans, World-Today-News.com
In a world saturated with unsettling headlines, why do so many of us seek out experiences designed to frighten us? From classic monster movies to modern psychological thrillers, the horror genre continues to captivate and, surprisingly, even comfort. A growing body of research suggests that confronting fictional fears can be a surprisingly effective coping mechanism for the anxieties of real life.
For Phoenix Cardwell, a student at the University of Connecticut, the fascination with the macabre began in childhood. A chilling urban legend – the infamous “Russian Sleep Experiment” - sparked a lifelong interest. “the iconic photo that went along with the story is a creepy picture of an emaciated man sitting in bed,” Cardwell recalls, “It stuck in my head.” This initial fear morphed into artistic expression, culminating in paintings like ”I Have An Itch, Would You Like To Scratch It?” – a visceral exploration of the unsettling allure of things we know we shouldn’t engage with.
CardwellS journey reflects a common thread among horror enthusiasts: a desire to understand why things scare us. Raised on a diet of “The X-Files,” “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” and cinematic classics like “Alien,” she’s drawn to the psychological undercurrents of the genre. “It’s interesting to see what movies scare people and what movies don’t,” she observes. “You could do a little bit of a Freudian analysis of why something scares this person but not another.”
And that’s precisely what educators like Gregory Semenza, an English professor at UConn, are doing. Semenza challenges the common dismissal of horror as mere “blood splatter and gore,” arguing that the genre is ofen “maligned and misunderstood.” He points to a growing body of evidence suggesting horror can be genuinely therapeutic.
“Horror can function as a kind of therapy,” Semenza explains. ”It provides an adrenaline-pumping, frightening experience that is entirely safe, and when we experience it, we’re more prepared to face the horrors of the real world.”
This isn’t simply about escapism. Semenza suggests that controlled exposure to fear can actually reduce anxiety and even alleviate symptoms of depression.The idea is that by navigating fictional threats,we build resilience and a sense of control,preparing us to better handle the unpredictable challenges of everyday life.
Think of it as a practice run for facing the unknown. Suddenly, turning to Michael Myers in “Halloween” for a dose of pre-bedtime calm doesn’t seem so strange.
The appeal also lies in the genre’s versatility. As Cardwell notes, horror isn’t always about pure terror. Films like “Killer klowns from Outer Space” blend scares with absurdist humor, offering a unique form of entertainment that can appeal to a broad audience.
Ultimately, the enduring popularity of horror speaks to a basic human need: to confront our fears, explore the darker aspects of the human condition, and, perhaps surprisingly, find a strange sort of solace in the process.
[image of Phoenix Cardwell’s digital artwork, “Grandma Concepts,” with caption: Phoenix Cardwell ’26 (ENG) is what some might describe a horrorphile. She reads horror literature, watches horror films, and creates horrific images. This digital work from her collection is titled, “Grandma Concepts.” (Image courtesy of Phoenix Cardwell)]
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* Keywords: horror, horror movies, psychology of fear, anxiety, depression, therapy, urban legends, film analysis, Gregory Semenza, UConn
