Why Fear Is Enjoyed by People?
Why do people enjoy welcoming something frightful or frightening? Why are horror and thriller movies so popular? Why would anyone enjoy going on a high-altitude jet coaster? In fact, there are scientific answers to these queries about the relationship between pleasure and fear. The brain creates a chemical reaction that makes a person feel better when they decide to partake in a frightening activity.
Understanding fear
What does a person actually experience when they are afraid? They are numerous. When humans feel fear, several bodily processes take place concurrently or simultaneously, including:
1. Two stress hormones are released by the amygdala
Two stress hormones, adrenaline and cortisol, are released by the adrenal glands as a result of the region of the brain that initiates this fight-or-flight response. Dopamine and endorphins are released in response to adrenaline.
2. An increase in heart rate and blood pressure
The body will appear pale, chilly, and moist as a result of this ailment. We occasionally experience goosebumps.
3. Wide-open eyes
In order to properly perceive anything harmful in front of us, the pupil of the eye widens. The body's other senses develop as well.
4. A few bodily processes temporarily halt
Any physiological function, such as digestion, that isn't necessary for us to survive the moment of terror is momentarily suspended.
Why do individuals enjoy experiencing fright and horror?
A process of adaptation produces the numerous feelings that make us feel afraid. Fear will keep us from doing things like hugging tigers, jumping off cliffs, or standing outside during a lightning storm.
This fear, in a nutshell, is what keeps us alive. However, other people like a sensation of dread or fear, as in the case of viewing a horror film or going on a roller coaster. If that's the case, why do individuals like the feeling of being afraid? This is why:
1. We feel secure
Our impression of safety distinguishes healthy anxieties from unhealthy ones. Fear signals to us that we need to flee. I need to be prepared for bear visits. I must leave. It's a fear that can result in depression and anxiety.
What about fear, then?
Scary movies and haunted houses show that there is a positive aspect to terror. We are aware that the event has a conclusion. We are aware that visiting haunted houses is purely recreational, and everyone is dressed up. But dopamine, endorphins, and adrenaline are still released. We feel euphoric because we are aware of our safety.
2. Conquering fear is a success
Things that are frightening but not dangerous provide us with an outlet for our emotions while also providing a chance to show our resolve. In other words, it feels good to be able to handle something that we find frightening. We experience satisfaction. I watched the entire scary movie, or I got through the haunted house without incident.
3. A cathartic practice that is accepted by society
We want to scream, curl up, or flee from everything when we are under stress. It's better when we purposefully respond to extremes, like when we ride a rollercoaster, see a scary movie, or hear a mystical story. We have the chance to express our emotions through fear in ways that are acceptable to society.
4. Dynamics of relationships
When you're with other people, the feelings you experience when seeing, listening to, or participating in anything frightful are amplified. Fear-induced exhilaration brings individuals together in a crowd. That's a fun aspect of it. Because we connect with those who share our fear. Similar to sexual arousal, fear is a type of arousal. We can give in to the desire to cling to others when we are terrified but secure.
5. Secure investigation
The majority of scary or ghost stories contain a lesson or moral. The historical events we experience and the difficulties they are accompanied by are frequently reflected in tales like these. Why do all the vampire-themed books and television shows featuring zombie-themed films release at the same time? This is so because the media we watch and listen to especially reflects the anxieties of the time. We will become aware of how dangerous our world is as a result of interacting with these media, and we will then decide how to address that threat.
6. Instigate or encourage transgressive thoughts
Some terrifying and spooky tales seem to encourage the listener to consider or conjure up the ideal crime. Although a little unnerving, this is a typical reaction. Thinking transgressively and acting transgressively are two different things.
Transgressive thought enables us to experience our "evil side" without actually doing any harm. Transgressive thinking also contributes to the development of our worldview. It reveals our true selves.
7. Getting ready for difficulties
Engaging with spooky content can occasionally help us prepare for issues we'll face in the real world. Consider the COVID-19 outbreak that occurred in 2020. One of the most watched movies on Netflix in the US at the time of the outbreak was the 1995 film Outbreak. The story of a terrible virus that terrorizes a small village is depicted in this movie.
By the movie's conclusion, the main characters have quickly overcome the virus, vanquished the bad guys, and reignited their shattered romance. In some ways, outbreaks serve as immersion therapy, helping us to acclimate to the thought of a pandemic and reassure ourselves that everything will be okay in the end.
Fear isn't always enjoyable
The perception of danger is what distinguishes a "good" fear from a "poor" fear. Because a child cannot tell the difference between genuine risk and fake peril, parents frequently forbid kids from viewing spooky media. Although it is not absolute, security grows as we do. There are moments when certain kinds of fear don't feel good for any of us.
Lead image from unsplash
