Why Do I Like Horror Movies?

Ever wondered why you like Horror and Scary movies? What is the psychology of the horror movie fan, plus do they have common personality traits? I will be using the Myers Briggs Type indicator and the Big Five Traits Personality models, plus other psychological motivations and concepts to try and explain it.

Why do I like horror movies

Why do so many people want to be scared? It sounds strange, however, many people actually enjoy being terrified by a really scary movie, including myself. When we get scared, it triggers our survival instincts to kick in. Fight or flight responses are located in the very old parts of the brain, the limbic system. This part of the brain is often referred to as the reptilian brain.

Our heart rates and blood pressure increase, and our bodies start to produce adrenaline. This is similar to what motivates thrill-seekers, that adrenaline rush is addictive. It makes us feel more alive, and it’s a major reason why so many people love horror movies.

In some of us, these instincts seem to be more easily triggered. Some so much that they cannot even watch a scary movie, while others may get very little reaction.

Some psychologists have suggested that we can also watch horror movies as a form of inoculation. As a way of preparing ourselves and helping us to deal with the horrors in real life.

Psychology & Traits of the Horror Movie Fan

General Traits

Those that really love movies tend to be more introverted. Watching movies can be a great way to unwind by themselves. Being high in the personality trait openness will often be a common trait movie lovers share. Movies are a form of art (some movies anyway), and those high in openness often tend to be creative themselves, or simply appreciate art, beauty, movies, and music more than the average person.

Different Types of Horror Movies

Slasher

There is the slasher style, like the Scream and Halloween movies. Slashers usually just include a human psychopath-style serial killer. For those that only like this type of horror, they are very likely to be a sensation type, or sensor on the MBTI model. These people like more realistic stories, and they are very in tune with their five senses. They live in the moment, and they are very observant to reality. They are also practical thinkers and realists. 

Supernatural

scary supernatural ghost.

Those who like horror or scary movies more, like the Paranormal Activity, or Insidious movies, will be leaning more towards an intuitive personality type. Intuitive types are often fascinated with the unknown and the spiritual. Intuitive types are often more imaginative, they look for patterns and connections and tend to focus on the big picture. Their big imaginations require mystery, they gravitate to the unknown and look for greater forms of escapism. This includes monsters and aliens as well. They are also often fans of fantasy and science fiction movies for the same reasons.

Gory

If your preference is for the more gory style of horror, like the Saw movies or the Texas Chainsaw Massacre. You are probably low in the trait of neuroticism. You do not easily become stressed or anxious. You are also probably low in trait orderliness, which includes disgust sensitivity. Being low in the emotion of disgust means you are able to tolerate those gory mutilation scenes, maybe even enjoy it if you’re a little bit disturbed.

Zombie

Zombie movies overlap with the supernatural and the gory style of horror. However, there is something uniquely different about zombie movies. Zombie movies are very much survival combined with apocalyptic, isolationist environments and stories.

Introverts that are in tune with their basic survival instincts are probably the main fans of this style of movie. As well as the thrill of having their instincts engaged, they also get to immerse themselves in a world with fewer people. Something they secretly, or sometimes not so secretly desire.

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