Share this Story : The horror paradox: Why things that scare us can make us happy Copy Link Email X Reddit Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Breadcrumb Trail Links Local News The horror paradox: Why things that scare us can make us happy 'For one thing, fear gets our heart rate up and our pulse and our adrenalin, and for some people that is just exciting.' Get the latest from Elizabeth Payne straight to your inbox Sign Up Author of the article: Elizabeth Payne Published Oct 27, 2024 • 3 minute read Join the conversation You can save this article by registering for free here . Or sign-in if you have an account.
Jim Davies, a professor of cognitive science at Carleton University, says people are drawn to scary things, in part, as a learning experience. Photo by Franklin McKay Article content Why do things that make us shriek in horror also make many of us come back for more? It is a question worth asking during the haunted season. Jim Davies, a professor of cognitive science and director of the Science of Imagination Laboratory at Carleton University, has given that question some thought.
Among other things, he explored why people are drawn to horror in his 2014 book Riveted: The Science of How Jokes Make Us Laugh, Movies Make Us Cry, and Religion Makes Us Feel One with the Universe. Advertisement 2 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your .