RadioWest Drawn to the Ghastly and Gruesome? This Psychologist Can Tell You Why
Jan 14, 2026
Colton Scrivener, a behavioral scientist and author of *Morbidly Curious*, explores the intriguing world of morbid curiosity and horror. He reveals how this fascination can be an evolutionary tool for safely processing danger. Colton discusses the history of morbid curiosity, critiques outdated studies on empathy, and explains why violence captivates us. He delves into how horror fiction can offer learning opportunities and even aid children's emotional regulation, showing that our gruesome interests can foster personal growth.
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Childhood Game Taught Fear Regulation
- Colton Scrivener recalls playing Resident Evil as a child and using safe rooms to regroup during scares.
- The game taught him to regulate fear and approach scary challenges deliberately.
Morbid Curiosity Has Adaptive Value
- Morbid curiosity evolved to rehearse attention to danger without real risk.
- Storytelling and media let us experience fear safely and learn to cope with mortality.
Threat Sensitivity Mirrors Smoke Detectors
- The smoke-detector principle explains why we over-attend to threats.
- It's better to have sensitive threat detection despite occasional false alarms.
