Psychology of Horror and Anxiety
“We make up horrors to help us cope with the real ones.” This quote by Stephen King offers a compelling argument for the paradox that is the horror genre. While it might seem strange that anyone would enjoy directly confronting what scares them, horror as a genre is fairly divisive and can be perceived as both conformist and anti-conformist.
Like a car crash you can’t look away from, humans are morbidly curious about the dangers that exist around us. As the spooky season draws to a close, consider reflecting on your relationship with the horror genre as it might reveal more about you – and how you navigate experiences – than you think.
Horror Fans
Who tends to be drawn to consuming horror? Statistically speaking, men tend to be more likely to enjoy horror films than women. On average, younger individuals are also more likely to derive pleasure from consuming horror. In addition, those who live in countries with higher GDP per capita tend to engage with horror media to a greater extent, suggesting that there needs to be a protective framework in place in order for individuals to feel safe and secure enough to enjoy the genre. In terms of personality, individuals who score higher on sensation-seeking and openness traits tend to, unsurprisingly, be more likely to engage with and enjoy the horror genre. Nevertheless, it might be unexpected that those with anxiety are often also more likely to be horror buffs. Horror fans can be divided into three core groups: adrenaline junkies who enjoy the thrilling physical response to frightening stimuli, white knuckles who find satisfaction from overcoming or conquering their fears, and dark copers who utilize horror as a way to process fear in their real lives, reassure themselves of how safe they actually are, and also manage symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Horror Benefits
While there are a plethora of benefits to horror genre consumption, one perplexing benefit is that engaging with what frightens us can actually soothe our anxiety. Horror narratives can exist as a form of play, allowing our brains to safely engage with perceived threats, better understand the world around us, and anticipate how we might navigate dangerous situations as a simulation rather than the real thing. In addition, those who are able to enjoy horror media tend to exhibit greater resilience in other areas of life, including during the covid pandemic, and also demonstrate better emotion regulation skills. Horror films can also prompt our brains to practice utilizing predictive processing, which, over time, grows our capacity for managing and coping with uncertainty. The sense of relief that follows feelings of suspense and anticipation triggers our brains to release endorphins, which promote relaxation and can even be quite therapeutic – especially for those who carry anxiety and tension in their bodies chronically.
Lastly, watching horror movies with others can encourage social bonding as well as aid in people falling in love, as surviving something that feels scary with another person can increase trust, safety, and even help us to associate feelings of excitement with the person we’re with versus the source of the horror itself. Regardless of your relationship to horror, anyone can agree that it is a genre that brings up a lot of emotions, is deeply tied to our human psychology, and can help us learn a lot about ourselves and the world around us.
If you or someone you know is interested in more self-discovery work, consider reaching out to Embrace Therapy for a consultation or other resources.
