Dr. Coltan Scrivner, a psychologist specializing in true crime and morbid curiosity, delves into the intriguing mechanisms behind our attraction to unsettling subjects. He explores the psychology of those drawn to horror and violence, revealing how morbid curiosity often intertwines with empathy and compassion. The conversation highlights the connection between psychological arousal and attraction, and how engaging with fear can foster emotional resilience. Scrivner also examines the personality traits linked to this fascination, including insights into dark empathic behaviors.
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Quick takeaways
Morbid curiosity serves as a coping mechanism, allowing individuals to explore fear and danger in a safe context through horror narratives.
Research indicates a positive correlation between empathy and interest in horror, suggesting that horror fans can empathetically relate to film characters.
An intriguing link exists between women's attraction to dark triad traits in men and morbid curiosity, stemming from the safety of modern dating.
Deep dives
Understanding Morbid Curiosity
Morbid curiosity is defined as an interest in or fascination with unpleasant subjects, particularly surrounding themes of death and violence. Research indicates that while most people possess some degree of morbid curiosity, individuals vary widely in their interests, particularly in horror films and true crime media. The phenomenon may relate to people's intrinsic desire to comprehend fear and danger, influencing their engagement with horror narratives. As noted by experts, morbid curiosity can be seen as a coping mechanism to explore and understand frightening concepts in a safe context.
The Science Behind 'Bleeding Heart Horror Fans'
Recent studies explore the personality traits associated with those who enjoy horror entertainment, particularly distinguishing between morbid curiosity and empathy. Findings indicate that individuals who enjoy horror films do not necessarily exhibit low emotional empathy; instead, a slight positive correlation between empathy and interest in horror has been noted. This suggests that horror fans can often relate to characters and situations within films, benefiting from the perspective-taking challenge provided by the genre. Ultimately, this implies that horror enjoyment can coexist with high levels of sensitivity and compassion.
Genetic and Environmental Influences
Dr. Colton Scrivner’s research spans a diverse educational background, including biology and psychology, which informs his study of morbid curiosity. His investigations suggest that individuals with high levels of openness and curiosity might be more prone to exhibit morbid curiosity traits. These traits drive the pursuit of knowledge about discomforting subjects, as emotional reactions can paradoxically foster curiosity about danger. As humans create rich narratives around fear through arts and media, they engage in safe explorations of their anxieties and instincts.
Morbid Curiosity and Dark Personalities
An intriguing connection exists between women's attraction to dark triad traits in men and morbid curiosity. Research shows that while morbidly curious women may not express warm feelings toward these individuals, they exhibit a behavioral attraction, seeking to understand their characteristics through engagement. This curiosity may also stem from the low personal risk in modern dating, allowing exploration of dangerous personalities in a relatively safe context. Such interactions can equip individuals with knowledge to discern potential threats in future relationships.
The Role of Stress and Fear in Learning
The evolutionary perspective suggests that morbid curiosity might serve a critical role in human survival by fostering understanding and vigilance regarding threats. Scenarios such as horror films and documentaries provide learning opportunities that can help individuals better navigate real-life dangers. By engaging with fear-inducing content, people can practice emotional regulation and resilience in controlled environments. This enables individuals to confront their own anxiety in a constructive manner while gaining insights that can be applied to everyday situations.
This week Scott is joined by true crime and morbid curiosity psychologist, Dr. Coltan Scrivner. Scott and Dr. Scrivner discuss how to determine your level of interest in morbid curiosity, why some people have a higher level of tolerance (and even attraction) to scary things, and how to spot a “bleeding-heart" horror fan.