CHFA | Psychology Department Showcase: Completed Projects
Exploring the Dark Side of Humanity: Motivations of Morbidly Curious Individuals
Academic Level at Time of Presentation
Senior
Major
Experimental Psychology
List all Project Mentors & Advisor(s)
Jana Hackathorn
Presentation Format
Oral Presentation
Abstract/Description
Exploring the Dark Side of Humanity: Motivations of Morbidly Curious Individuals
Purpose. Morbid curiosity is a mixture of excitement, fear, and compulsion that stimulates a need to know about horrid subjects, such as death and terror (Harrison & Frederick, 2020). Although normal, it can motivate and predict behaviors and preferences (Scrivner, 2021). Predicting threats by imagining scenarios and planning one’s actions accordingly is critical for human survival. When individuals watch horror movies, their bodies react with the same physiological signs of fear that would be considered dangerous in real life (Vittrup, 2022). Ohler and colleagues (2014) argue that individuals’ tendency to experience fearful media as rewarding encounters can be considered a stable personality trait. The motivational or informational elements that are derived from consuming morbid media are understudied. The current study examined what motivates morbidly curious individuals to consume morbid media.
Procedure. Participants (N = 52) were recruited to complete a brief online survey that measured morbid curiosity (Scrivner, 2021), enjoyment of frightening films (Sparks, 1986), motivations for viewing (Johnston, 1995), horror typology (Robinson et al., 2014), and worry about crime (Jackson, 2009).
Results. An ANOVA indicated that there was not a significant difference in morbidly curiosity between adrenaline junkies (F (35, 16) = 1.21, p = .347), white knucklers (F (35, 16) = 1.37, p = .253) and detectives (F (35, 16) = 1.12, p = .416). However, a series of Pearson’s correlations discovered that there is a relationship between morbid curiosity and individuals who watch horror movies as a way to get an adrenaline high or to feel alive (r(52) = .37, p = .006) as well as individuals who watch horror movies to figure out who the bad character is and which character will be last (r(52) = .41, p = .002). Additionally, individuals who are more morbidly curious tend to frequently use horror media (r(52 = .41, p = .002), be less scared after watching horror films (r(52) = -.33, p = .023) and typically watch horror media alone (r(52) = -.31, p = 0.34).
Implications/Conclusions. The results indicate that individuals who are morbidly curious do not fit into a specific type of person who are attracted to horror movies but instead are more complex than a stereotypical thrill seeker. However, there is a relationship between morbidly curious individuals and being an “adrenaline junkie” and a “detective.” Additionally, morbidly curious individuals seem to enjoy horror movies more when there is gore or violence in the movie if one can learn from the experience of the movie and if the movie can cause them excitement.
Spring Scholars Week 2023 Event
Psychology: Completed Projects
Exploring the Dark Side of Humanity: Motivations of Morbidly Curious Individuals
Exploring the Dark Side of Humanity: Motivations of Morbidly Curious Individuals
Purpose. Morbid curiosity is a mixture of excitement, fear, and compulsion that stimulates a need to know about horrid subjects, such as death and terror (Harrison & Frederick, 2020). Although normal, it can motivate and predict behaviors and preferences (Scrivner, 2021). Predicting threats by imagining scenarios and planning one’s actions accordingly is critical for human survival. When individuals watch horror movies, their bodies react with the same physiological signs of fear that would be considered dangerous in real life (Vittrup, 2022). Ohler and colleagues (2014) argue that individuals’ tendency to experience fearful media as rewarding encounters can be considered a stable personality trait. The motivational or informational elements that are derived from consuming morbid media are understudied. The current study examined what motivates morbidly curious individuals to consume morbid media.
Procedure. Participants (N = 52) were recruited to complete a brief online survey that measured morbid curiosity (Scrivner, 2021), enjoyment of frightening films (Sparks, 1986), motivations for viewing (Johnston, 1995), horror typology (Robinson et al., 2014), and worry about crime (Jackson, 2009).
Results. An ANOVA indicated that there was not a significant difference in morbidly curiosity between adrenaline junkies (F (35, 16) = 1.21, p = .347), white knucklers (F (35, 16) = 1.37, p = .253) and detectives (F (35, 16) = 1.12, p = .416). However, a series of Pearson’s correlations discovered that there is a relationship between morbid curiosity and individuals who watch horror movies as a way to get an adrenaline high or to feel alive (r(52) = .37, p = .006) as well as individuals who watch horror movies to figure out who the bad character is and which character will be last (r(52) = .41, p = .002). Additionally, individuals who are more morbidly curious tend to frequently use horror media (r(52 = .41, p = .002), be less scared after watching horror films (r(52) = -.33, p = .023) and typically watch horror media alone (r(52) = -.31, p = 0.34).
Implications/Conclusions. The results indicate that individuals who are morbidly curious do not fit into a specific type of person who are attracted to horror movies but instead are more complex than a stereotypical thrill seeker. However, there is a relationship between morbidly curious individuals and being an “adrenaline junkie” and a “detective.” Additionally, morbidly curious individuals seem to enjoy horror movies more when there is gore or violence in the movie if one can learn from the experience of the movie and if the movie can cause them excitement.