Artifact #5 (Week #6)
Objectives:
- Explore the psychological and emotional curiosity for and impact of horror art on individuals and society.
Artifact:
Blog Posting
Article #1
This article that I read was about the many different reasons as to why some people may enjoy horror films. The article states the different theories that have arose due to this odd question of why people seek out horrible scenarios and why enjoyment may be taken from these scenarios. The main point in all of these theories and discussions is this idea of curiosity. They point out that people would not like to actually physically be in these horrible situations but they are curious as to what will happen or what could happen if this were to happen to them. People look to the consequences of the characters actions in the movies and it ignites their curiosity as to how it happened and why it may have happened. This article uses 2 main theories to discuss the topic of why individuals enjoy horror. The two theories are co-existentialist and integrationist. The co-existentialist theory describes the idea of what is natural. That the reason we are curious is because we know it is not natural for these events to occur so we take a look from an outside perspective and it ignites our curiosity of what could happen. The integrationist theory has to do with feelings and emotions. That we use our emotions as guiders. When we see a scary person in a movie, if we are not completely grossed out by this monster/person then we will in turn end up enjoying watching it.
The one thing that this article did not possess that was much talked about in our readings/articles was the idea of the feeling you get from watching a scary movie. This article more so tried to discuss ideology behind why people enjoy watching something scary that they would not actually like to have happen to them in the real world. It did not discuss the potential theory of endorphins that scary movies release in your brain to make you enjoy an otherwise horrible incident. The article and the reading connect very much in the fact that they both discuss this idea of a certain curiosity that one receives from these plots. The reading says “Thus, to a large extent, the horror story is driven explicitly by curiosity. It engages its audience by being involved in processes of disclosure, discovery, proof, explanation, hypothesis, and confirmation. That is in essence exactly what the online article is describing. People may not believe what is being shown to them but they are curious to how the plot will unfold before them so they use their senses to give explanations, hypothesis’ and confirmations to make sense of their feelings about the enjoyment they receive from the horror.
Klus, Helen., (2008). ‘Why Do We Enjoy Horror Films?’. Retrieved November 8th, 2009, from http://ezinearticles.com/?Why-Do-We-Enjoy-Horror-Films?&id=1060951
Article #2
The second article I read was more so focused around the idea that individuals who watch scary movies first off are around 25 years or younger. And that the reasons as to why we watch these movies has to do with the fact that these movies release fear into our systems and the reason we enjoy watching them is because we “master that fear and anxiety by working through it.” By taking steps to analyze and organize what is happening and how it best fits into our world, we can master these feelings of fear and use it to our excitement. Another major part of this article was aimed at the younger generation. That the reason we watch these movies more so then the older generations is because we are “less civilized” then say someone who is 45. We still have some uncivilized characteristics about us that we are best fitted from these movies. These movies give us enjoyment and curb our enthusiasm. Younger generations know they cannot and will not go out and repeat the things they see from these horror movies but it is always nice once in a while to watch the unexpected. To have an outlet from the everyday norm of society.
In the Gaut reading he states “the emotions of pity or fear aren’t painful in the way that stepping on a thumb-tack is.” This is a lot of what the reading was talking about. Young individuals wish to see less civilized things occur but these emotions that they feel are completely different than the actual emotion would be if this were to happen. The feeling of pain and sadness are different then the feeling of the unknown and the thrill that one receives from watching these films.
Rappoport, Leon., (1997). ‘Why We Like to Watch Scary Movies’. Retrieved November 8th, 2009, from http://www.k-state.edu/media/newsreleases/seasonal/listscarymovies.html
Reflection:
This week’s topic sparked my interest upon seeing the title. Scary movies are always of interest to me and I have always wondered what it is that makes me enjoy them so much. I had never really dissected this idea of why I enjoy these movies so opening up a discussion about why different people have such curiosity for horror fascinated me to learn more. Reading these different articles allowed me to pin point one reason. Human’s are curious. It is in our nature to want to know more, understand, think outside of the box. These movies spark our imagination and allow us to put ourselves in a world that is half fantasy, half reality. People can relate these movies to everyday life but there is also that “thrill factor” and edge of the seat feeling that can not be experienced anywhere else but unless engulfed in this genre of movies.
I also realized that there is a certain psychological factor going on within these movies. They cater to your fears, tug at your heartstrings. You wish you could be there to help the characters but yet enjoy watching the story line that unfolds along the way with the actors. There is a continuous battle within yourself that can only be characterized by this “good vs. evil” paradigm and it leaves you wanting more. The director and writers of these movies are extremely intelligent and know what they are doing to keep attracting individuals to these movies.
Now having some of the knowledge as to why individuals keep themselves coming back to these movies will allow me to deconstruct why I find myself so hooked on this field of movies. Whenever I see a preview for an upcoming horror film I can take a step back and figure out why I have the urge to see the movie, or what within myself is causing me to have these feelings.
My original Enjoying Horror Discussion can be found here.
