Podcast
Questions and Answers
Which of the following best describes the 'excitation transfer' effect experienced by some horror movie viewers?
Which of the following best describes the 'excitation transfer' effect experienced by some horror movie viewers?
- The immediate enjoyment of the violent scenes due to a heightened sense of adrenaline.
- Feeling a sense of relief and reduced anxiety after the horror movie ends, despite not enjoying it during. (correct)
- An increased sense of paranoia and anxiety that lingers even after the movie has concluded.
- Developing a long-lasting fear that requires coping mechanisms due to the intensity of the horror.
How do 'Dark Coppers' differ from 'White Knucklers' in their experience of watching horror films?
How do 'Dark Coppers' differ from 'White Knucklers' in their experience of watching horror films?
- Dark Coppers tend to be more empathic, whereas White Knucklers are less emotionally invested.
- Dark Coppers derive both emotional enjoyment and cognitive benefits, while White Knucklers may primarily experience anxiety and fear. (correct)
- Dark Coppers are predominantly women, unlike White Knucklers who show no gender preference.
- Dark Coppers experience more cognitive benefits, while White Knucklers focus on emotional coping.
How does the concept of 'disposal alignment' influence an individual's enjoyment of horror movies?
How does the concept of 'disposal alignment' influence an individual's enjoyment of horror movies?
- It decreases the enjoyment of horror, especially when violence is directed towards innocent characters.
- It leads to increased feelings of anxiety and paranoia due to the graphic content.
- It enhances the sense of mastery over fears, primarily through desensitization.
- It increases acceptance of violence when it is directed towards characters perceived as deserving of it, reinforcing a belief in justice. (correct)
What is the primary reason suggested for why men typically report greater enjoyment of horror films compared to women?
What is the primary reason suggested for why men typically report greater enjoyment of horror films compared to women?
Based on the text, which of the following is most likely to be true regarding adolescents' and young adults' enjoyment of horror films?
Based on the text, which of the following is most likely to be true regarding adolescents' and young adults' enjoyment of horror films?
Which perspective on horror posits that these narratives allow us to confront and process the anxiety arising from our awareness of mortality?
Which perspective on horror posits that these narratives allow us to confront and process the anxiety arising from our awareness of mortality?
According to the psychoanalytic perspective, what is a common source of fear in horror, often represented by dominating figures like killers or monsters?
According to the psychoanalytic perspective, what is a common source of fear in horror, often represented by dominating figures like killers or monsters?
Which perspective views horror as a reflection of real-world anxieties and concerns, using monsters as a symbolic representation of social issues?
Which perspective views horror as a reflection of real-world anxieties and concerns, using monsters as a symbolic representation of social issues?
According to the evolutionary perspective, what is the primary basis for our fear of horror monsters?
According to the evolutionary perspective, what is the primary basis for our fear of horror monsters?
Which of the following is a core tenet of the cognitive/fascination perspective on horror?
Which of the following is a core tenet of the cognitive/fascination perspective on horror?
According to Scrivner et al. (2022), which type of horror viewer is primarily motivated by the intense feelings of fear and excitement experienced while watching?
According to Scrivner et al. (2022), which type of horror viewer is primarily motivated by the intense feelings of fear and excitement experienced while watching?
How might the concept of 'excitation transfer' explain the appeal of horror movies for adrenaline junkies?
How might the concept of 'excitation transfer' explain the appeal of horror movies for adrenaline junkies?
How does sensation seeking relate to the cognitive and emotional consequences of watching horror for 'adrenaline junkies'?
How does sensation seeking relate to the cognitive and emotional consequences of watching horror for 'adrenaline junkies'?
According to Noël Carroll, what primary role do monsters play in determining whether a film falls into the realm of art horror?
According to Noël Carroll, what primary role do monsters play in determining whether a film falls into the realm of art horror?
A movie showcases a protagonist's intense fear and anxiety when faced with a shadowy figure that mimics his every move. According to psychoanalytic interpretations of horror, what repressed anxiety is most likely being metaphorically embodied by the doppelganger?
A movie showcases a protagonist's intense fear and anxiety when faced with a shadowy figure that mimics his every move. According to psychoanalytic interpretations of horror, what repressed anxiety is most likely being metaphorically embodied by the doppelganger?
A person consistently seeks out horror films with extreme gore and graphic violence, showing little emotional reaction to the suffering of victims. According to Johnston's (1995) typology, which type of horror viewer is this person most likely to be?
A person consistently seeks out horror films with extreme gore and graphic violence, showing little emotional reaction to the suffering of victims. According to Johnston's (1995) typology, which type of horror viewer is this person most likely to be?
In the context of horror films, what is the concept of unheimlich most closely related to?
In the context of horror films, what is the concept of unheimlich most closely related to?
A viewer describes watching a horror movie as 'practicing' for real-life threatening situations. Which psychological concept does this most closely align with?
A viewer describes watching a horror movie as 'practicing' for real-life threatening situations. Which psychological concept does this most closely align with?
An individual with a strong belief in the paranormal is MOST likely to prefer which type of horror film?
An individual with a strong belief in the paranormal is MOST likely to prefer which type of horror film?
According to research related to Bandura's Bobo doll experiment, what is the MOST likely outcome of repeated exposure to violent media?
According to research related to Bandura's Bobo doll experiment, what is the MOST likely outcome of repeated exposure to violent media?
Which of Walters' (2004) levels of relevance is MOST applicable to horror films that tap into anxieties surrounding current widespread disease outbreaks?
Which of Walters' (2004) levels of relevance is MOST applicable to horror films that tap into anxieties surrounding current widespread disease outbreaks?
According to the excitation transfer theory, why might someone enjoy a horror movie after watching it, despite feeling anxious during the viewing?
According to the excitation transfer theory, why might someone enjoy a horror movie after watching it, despite feeling anxious during the viewing?
An individual who scores very high on sensation-seeking scales is MOST likely to enjoy horror films because:
An individual who scores very high on sensation-seeking scales is MOST likely to enjoy horror films because:
According to dispositional alignment theory, viewers are MOST likely to feel satisfied when violence befalls an unlikeable character, even if a likeable character also dies. This is because:
According to dispositional alignment theory, viewers are MOST likely to feel satisfied when violence befalls an unlikeable character, even if a likeable character also dies. This is because:
The 'snuggle theory' suggests that people enjoy watching horror movies with a partner because:
The 'snuggle theory' suggests that people enjoy watching horror movies with a partner because:
According to Walters' four levels of relevance, which level is engaged when a horror film focuses on challenges such as identity formation and independence?
According to Walters' four levels of relevance, which level is engaged when a horror film focuses on challenges such as identity formation and independence?
Flashcards
Psychoanalytic Perspective on Horror
Psychoanalytic Perspective on Horror
Horror presents returning repressed childhood fears, like castration anxiety, domination of killers, and doppelgangers.
Cognitive/Fascination Perspective on Horror
Cognitive/Fascination Perspective on Horror
We are fascinated by monsters because they violate cultural norms and defy categorization.
Societal Concerns Perspective on Horror
Societal Concerns Perspective on Horror
Horror is a metaphor for real social issues that invokes fear.
Existential Perspective on Horror
Existential Perspective on Horror
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Evolutionary Perspective on Horror
Evolutionary Perspective on Horror
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Adrenaline Junkies
Adrenaline Junkies
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Gender Differences in Horror
Gender Differences in Horror
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Sensation Seeking Benefits
Sensation Seeking Benefits
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White Knucklers
White Knucklers
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Dark Coppers
Dark Coppers
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Benign Masochism
Benign Masochism
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Gender and Horror
Gender and Horror
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Age and Horror
Age and Horror
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Threat Simulation
Threat Simulation
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Unheimlich
Unheimlich
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Gore Watchers
Gore Watchers
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Thrill Watchers
Thrill Watchers
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Openness & Horror
Openness & Horror
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Paranormal Beliefs & Horror
Paranormal Beliefs & Horror
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Social Learning
Social Learning
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Violent Media Priming
Violent Media Priming
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Universal Level of Fear
Universal Level of Fear
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Cultural Level of Fear
Cultural Level of Fear
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Subgroup Level of Fear
Subgroup Level of Fear
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Dispositional Alignment
Dispositional Alignment
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Study Notes
- Study notes for Psychology of Horror
Perspectives on Horror
- Psychoanalytic: Horror is both strange and familiar, presenting repressed childhood fears like castration anxiety through killers and monsters, and elements like returning to the womb or the existence of doppelgangers.
- Cognitive/Fascination: Focuses on fascination and interest in monsters due to their violation of norms and defiance of categorization.
- Societal Concerns: Horror acts as a metaphor for real social issues, like vampires representing foreigners and AIDS embodying fears of blood contamination.
- Existential: Centers on the uniquely human anxiety of mortality, with horror reminding us of our fragility and inevitable death.
- Evolutionary: Suggests we biologically learn to fear things that threaten our survival, explaining why scary monsters or humans that cause physical harm are frightening.
Scrivner et al. (2022) - Types of Horror Viewers
- Adrenaline Junkies: Watch horror for the sensation of being scared, enjoying emotions of anxiety and adrenaline; more likely to be men because they are more allowed to be socially adventurous and have less empathy; linked to sensation seeking benefits in the brain.
- White Knucklers: More likely women; bothered by and easily frightened by horror, leading to lingering fears, but can provide cognitive benefits like mastery over fears and shifts in beliefs.
- Dark Coppers: Use horror to cope and sympathize with their own problems; no gender difference, but generally have less empathy and gain both emotional and cognitive benefits by rationalizing their issues.
Correlations with Horror Preferences
- Men typically enjoy horror more to validate their gender and masculinity.
- Adolescents and young adults enjoy horror to validate their emerging adulthood.
- Individuals high in sensation-seeking and Openness (OCEAN 5 personality traits) are more likely to enjoy horror.
- Those with higher paranormal beliefs tend to prefer supernatural horror over psychological horror.
Bandura's Bob Doll Studies
- Demonstrated social learning through watching and mimicking others.
- Increased consumption of violent media is linked to increased likelihood of violent/aggressive behavior.
Walters' Four Levels of Relevance (2004)
- Universal: Touches on aspects of fear and terror like darkness, danger, and death.
- Cultural: Reflects universal and cultural changes that invoke fear and terror, with examples like vampires representing AIDS.
- Subgroup: Evokes fears based on developmental trends, with horror often aimed at adolescent audiences and issues like identity and independence.
- Personal: Horror movies are more relevant to individuals concerned about losing control or with strong sensation-seeking tendencies.
Additional Factors in Enjoying Horror
- Dispositional alignment: Satisfaction when violence affects unlikeable characters, reinforcing a sense of justice.
- Excitation transfer: Not enjoying horror while watching, but feeling relief after it ends.
- Sensation seeking: Brains that seeks adrenaline, which modern life may lack, fulfilled by horror.
- Snuggle theory: Enjoying horror with a partner as it allows individuals to conform to gender roles, (e.g., being protectors).
- Benign masochism: Finding pleasure in discomfort.
- Threat simulation: Practicing survival strategies, helping to master fears and find safety.
- Unheimlich: Unfamiliar elements that seem threatening or uncomfortable.
- Carroll's application of Mary Douglas' theory of disgust: Fear arises from threat and disgust when monsters/villains defy social categories. Role of Monsters (Carroll)
- Monster reactions run parallels to the audience feelings.
Psychoanalytic Anxieties in Horror Monsters
- Castration anxiety: Fear of abandonment.
- Return to the womb.
- Dead things coming back to life.
- Thoughts having power to control the outside world.
- Thoughts on doppelgangers.
Johnston (1995) - Types of Slasher Horror Viewers
- Gore Watchers: Enjoy graphic content, high in sensation seeking, low empathy, and desensitized to moral values.
- Thrill Watchers: Enjoy being scared, high sensation-seeking, and challenge their world view.
- Independent Watchers: Enjoy watching alone, feeling positive feelings before/after, and change themselves and their world views. Problem Watchers
- Use horror to escape problems, but desensitization can cause negative psychological impacts.
Definitions of Horror
- Walters: Fictionalized account designed to evolve terror through implied supernatural or abnormal forces.
- Carroll: Art of fear (threat to life/well-being) and disgust (violating social categories).
Welsh (2010) - Sex and Sexualizing in Slasher Films
- Males are more likely to be killed than females.
- Females are more likely to die the more sexual they present in a scene.
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Description
Explore the psychology behind horror film enjoyment, including excitation transfer, viewer types (Dark Coppers, White Knucklers), and disposal alignment. Understand gender differences in enjoyment and the psychoanalytic perspective on fear and mortality.
