Summary
Overview
Psychologist and author Colton Scribner discusses his research on morbid curiosity, explaining why humans are drawn to horror, violence, and true crime. He shares findings from studies at haunted attractions, breaks down the four types of morbid curiosity, explores evolutionary explanations for our fascination with danger, and addresses common misconceptions about horror fans and violent media consumption.
Introduction to Morbid Curiosity Research
Colton Scribner introduces his background as a researcher studying morbid curiosity and horror psychology. He explains how he shifted from studying human violence to investigating why people voluntarily expose themselves to frightening content. His interdisciplinary approach combines anthropology, biology, and psychology to understand this paradoxical human behavior.
- Scribner is an internationally recognized expert on morbid curiosity and the psychology of horror and true crime
- He hosts a zombie festival in Eureka Springs, Arkansas that attracts approximately 15,000-20,000 people annually
- His academic background spans anthropology, forensic biology, and behavioral biology with a PhD from University of Chicago
- He started researching the paradox of how humans punish violence but also find it entertaining in controlled settings
" Humans are really drawn to faces, right? That's why this is a better format than on a phone. We get a lot of information from faces. And almost nothing can draw our attention away from faces except an act of violence. "
" We developed a new kind of aggression. We developed what's called proactive aggression. So now we can sit back and we can plot and think about when we're going to attack someone and how we can do it when they're unprepared. "
The Sweet Spot of Fear at Haunted Houses
Scribner describes groundbreaking research conducted at a haunted attraction in Denmark where he measured participants' heart rates and facial expressions to understand how people experience fun while afraid. The findings revealed that people have an optimal fear level around 7 out of 10 where enjoyment is maximized, contradicting marketing that promises the scariest possible experience.
- Participants wore heart rate monitors and were filmed at scary points throughout a haunted house in an abandoned fishery in Denmark
- The sweet spot for maximum enjoyment is around 7-7.5 out of 10 on the scary scale, not a perfect 10
- People constantly regulate their fear during horror experiences by turning lights on/off, covering eyes, or watching with friends
- This regulation practice may help develop anxiety management skills useful in real-world situations
" People have kind of a sweet spot of fear where their fun is maximized. It's got to be a little bit scarier. So like a 7 or a 7.5 out of 10. Not a 5. Not a 10. "
" You are practicing regulating your anxiety and regulating your fear, which is something you can use later in the real world. Like immersion therapy. Exactly. Yeah. Emotional exposure therapy. "
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