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Frightening Stories As Entertainment


             Scientists have established several theories to explain why people choose to be frightened by the media they encounter. They range from, trying to purge our own scary and violent tendencies to the viewer receiving some type of perverse pleasure from the experience of frightening or disturbing behavior.
             The most commonly held theory used to explain why people like to be frightened by their media is an idea known as catharsis. Catharsis states that when people view frightening and violent media they are able to rid themselves of their own desires to be violent. It is also believed that through catharsis we are able to relieve other psychological problems such as fear and anxiety. .
             Other research explains the appeal of frightening media through identification. This idea of identification is used to explain the almost cathartic experience that can be reached when frightened, a type of perverse pleasure can be obtained when a viewer identifies with the monster. All of the activities that are prohibited by society and morals can be lived out vicariously through the evil things we read about and watch on the screen. Identification also occurs with to victim in frightening content. We identify with the pursued and in the process empathic reactions are released. .
             Finally, the appeal of frightening media can be explained in a very similar fashion as explaining why people enjoy roller coaster rides. When we go on a ride we are pushing our bodies to an extreme but the entire time we know we are safe. Frightening content allows us to do the same thing. We can test are limits and the whole time be safe in our seats.
             Fright Reactions in Children.
             Have you ever viewed a movie that provided disturbing or frightening images that gave you nightmares or withheld you from doing something, like sleep in the dark or swim by yourself? More than likely at one point or another your answer is yes. In the 1930's-1940's it was researched a featured film had scared 93% of children.


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