Understanding the Neural Mechanisms of Fear in Horror Movies
The Attraction to Fear-Inducing Activities
Recent research has explored why humans are drawn to fear-inducing experiences such as roller coaster rides, sky-diving, mountain climbing, and horror films. While most individuals would prefer to avoid genuine danger, many find enjoyment in the controlled simulations of these threats.
Research Focus and Methodology
A team of researchers from Finland aimed to uncover the neural basis for fear reactions to horror films. They created a list of the scariest horror movies and selected 51 participants to view either “The Conjuring 2” or “Insidious.” Participants’ fear responses were assessed using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and self-reported measures.
Types of Fear and Findings
Published in NeuroImage, the study differentiated between two types of fear: acute fear, which occurs after a threat is detected, and sustained anticipatory fear, experienced before the threat manifests. Researchers annotated scenes featuring “jump-scares” to represent acute fear, while sustained fear was measured through participant self-reports.
During periods of sustained fear and gradual anxiety increase, brain regions associated with visual and auditory perception showed heightened activity. This response likely arises from an increased need to monitor environmental cues for potential danger.
Conversely, following a sudden shock or acute threat, the researchers observed increased activity in brain areas linked to emotional processing, threat evaluation, and decision-making. This response prepares the body for quick action in the face of danger.
Continuous Interaction with Sensory Regions
The study further revealed that these brain regions were in constant interaction with sensory areas throughout the film. This suggests that sensory regions actively prepare the brain’s response networks as the likelihood of a threatening event increases.
Conclusion: The Art of Horror Films
The researchers concluded that horror films effectively manipulate our neural pathways by using fear-inducing stimuli. This anticipation and preparation for action contribute to the excitement that audiences experience while watching horror movies.
Reference
Hudson, M., Seppälä, K., Putkinen, V., Sun, L., Glerean, E., Karjalainen, T., … Nummenmaa, L. (2020). Dissociable neural systems for unconditioned acute and sustained fear. NeuroImage, 116522. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2020.116522
Image Credit
Image by Vitabello from Pixabay