Horror Movies as a Tool for Managing Fear
Watching horror movies can be a ritualistic experience, evoking fear and adrenaline in a controlled environment.
Despite their entertainment value, horror movies are often overlooked as a means of learning about human psychology and fear management.
Horror movies, often dismissed as cheap thrills, are actually lessons in how humans experience, process and overcome fear.
Research in the psychology of horror has shown that the fear experienced during a scary movie is not "fake" to the brain, as the same systems that respond to real danger are triggered by cinematic fear.
This phenomenon suggests that horror movies can serve as a unique tool for understanding and managing fear in a safe and controlled environment.
Author's summary: Horror movies teach fear management.