Science Friday Why Morbid Curiosity Is So Common—And So Fun
Oct 29, 2025
Coltan Scrivner, a behavioral scientist and author, explores our fascination with horror and why some are drawn to morbid curiosity. Ken Carter, a psychology professor and author, examines thrill-seeking behavior and our physiological responses to fear. They discuss the rise of horror during the pandemic, its cathartic effects in uncertain times, and how horror fans often show high empathy. The duo also delves into the emotional regulation benefits of facing fears in a safe setting and why zombies continue to captivate our imaginations.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Horror's Pandemic Spike
- Horror's popularity surged after 2020 as many new viewers discovered it during the COVID pandemic.
- Filmmakers responded by producing more horror for streaming and theaters, raising box-office share.
Horror Fans Are Empathic
- Horror fans score as high or higher on empathy measures than nonfans.
- Empathizing with protagonists' danger produces the vicarious high that makes horror enjoyable.
Biology Shapes Thrill Enjoyment
- High sensation seekers get more dopamine and less cortisol from risky stimuli.
- Low sensation seekers show more stress and less enjoyment from the same stimuli.
