'Morbidly Curious' explores the fascination with horror movies and the macabre

Key Concepts

• Morbid Curiosity: An innate drive to seek out information about dangerous or threatening situations, observed in both humans and animals.
• Horror Genre: A film genre characterized by themes of fear, dread, and terror, which has seen significant growth in market share.
• Psychological Resilience: The ability to adapt well in the face of adversity, trauma, or significant sources of stress.
• Simulated Threat: Experiencing dangerous or frightening scenarios in a safe, controlled environment, such as through fiction.
• "Fighting Fire with Fire": A psychological mechanism where intense, focused fear from a simulated threat can override or distract from generalized anxiety.

The Rise of Horror and Morbid Curiosity

The transcript discusses the increasing popularity of the horror film genre, noting that its market share in the U.S. has more than quadrupled in the past decade. This trend is explored through the lens of morbid curiosity, a concept detailed in the book "Morbidly Curious: A Scientist Explains Why We Can't Look Away" by Coltan Scrivner, a psychologist and researcher at Arizona State University.

Historical and Evolutionary Roots of Morbid Curiosity

Coltan Scrivner posits that morbid curiosity is an ancient human trait, dating back as far as language itself. He argues that for early humans living in dangerous environments, stories about threats served a practical purpose for survival. This drive is not unique to humans; Scrivner points to observations in animals like zebras and gazelles, which exhibit an inclination to pay attention to and even inspect predators. This behavior is seen as a mechanism for gathering crucial information about potential dangers, such as their appearance, behavior, and location. For humans, this translates to an interest in exploring simulated dangers, from predators to societal or environmental disasters, through narratives.

Distinguishing Fiction from Reality

The discussion differentiates between consuming real-world horror through news reports and experiencing it through fictional media like horror movies. Scrivner highlights that fiction can present scenarios that are not covered by news or events that have not yet occurred. An example provided is the movie "Contagion" (2011), which gained renewed popularity in March 2020 due to its accurate simulation of a pandemic, a situation many people were experiencing fear about. This ability of fiction to simulate potential future threats is a key distinction.

Psychological Benefits of Consuming Horror

Contrary to the notion that consuming horror content is inherently harmful, Scrivner argues that it can offer psychological benefits. He suggests that experiencing fear and anxiety in safe, controlled contexts can be beneficial. By engaging with these emotions in fictional settings, individuals can develop better coping mechanisms for real-life situations that inevitably elicit fear or anxiety.

Research Findings on Psychological Resilience

Scrivner cites a study conducted in April and May 2020, shortly after the initial peak of COVID-19. The research found that, after controlling for demographics and general personality traits, individuals who identified as horror fans and scored higher in morbid curiosity demonstrated better psychological resilience during the early months of the pandemic.

Horror as a Response to Anxiety and Uncertain Times

The transcript connects the surge in horror's popularity, particularly since 2020, to the prevailing anxieties of the times. Scrivner notes that horror experienced its highest box office share in recorded history when COVID-19 hit. He explains that for individuals experiencing generalized anxiety, where the source of stress is unclear, it can be difficult to break a cycle of rumination. Horror movies, in this context, can act as an "off-ramp" for these feelings.

The "Fighting Fire with Fire" Mechanism

The explanation for this phenomenon is described as "fighting fire with fire." When feeling anxious, the mind may be preoccupied with threats. A scary movie or book can capture attention, drawing it away from generalized feelings of anxiety and providing a specific, albeit simulated, source for that fear. This intense focus on the fictional threat can effectively distract from and temporarily alleviate underlying, unfocused anxiety.

Conclusion

The discussion with Coltan Scrivner, author of "Morbidly Curious," concludes by emphasizing that the fascination with the macabre, particularly through the horror genre, is rooted in an ancient, evolutionary drive for information gathering. Furthermore, engaging with simulated threats in a safe environment can foster psychological resilience and serve as a coping mechanism for real-world anxieties, especially in times of widespread uncertainty.