Thread by @MorbidPsych

👻🎃HORROR MEGA THREAD🎃👻

Over the past few months, I've tweeted out a number of threads about the psychology of the horror genre and true crime.

I thought it would be fun to put together a mega thread of threads for the spooky season.

1/🧵

First up, let's talk about true crime and serial killers. I've received a bunch of interview requests the past 2 weeks to talk about the new #DahmerMonster series.

Why are we fascinated with evil men? Check out this thread to learn more:

https://twitter.com/MorbidPsych/status/1519000390741766144?s=20&t=3ylpdKwydPA2PGW3TG_7VQ

2/🧵

It's not just true crime villains that fascinate us. Some of the most popular horror movies center around a killer.

Michael. Jason. Freddy. Leatherface.

What makes these villains so popular? This thread explains their psychological appeal:

https://twitter.com/MorbidPsych/status/1559262040937574400?s=20&t=3ylpdKwydPA2PGW3TG_7VQ

3/🧵

For a deeper dive into a single villain, check out this thread on Freddy Krueger, one of the most iconic horror villains of all time:

https://twitter.com/MorbidPsych/status/1559641400718700546?s=20&t=3ylpdKwydPA2PGW3TG_7VQ

4/🧵

Even with an understanding of the science behind the appeal of true crime and horror, fans of these genres sometimes get side-eyed.

Here are 3 key misconceptions people have about horror fans:

https://twitter.com/MorbidPsych/status/1528511141407752192?s=20&t=3ylpdKwydPA2PGW3TG_7VQ

5/🧵

Perhaps the most concerning misconception that people have about horror fans is that they lack empathy or compassion.

Check out this thread for a deeper dive on why that perception is likely wrong:

https://twitter.com/MorbidPsych/status/1538989311449870337?s=20&t=3ylpdKwydPA2PGW3TG_7VQ

6/🧵

Rather than horror necessarily being bad for you, it might actually be *good for you* in some ways!

Here are some of the psychological benefits that people get from horror.

https://twitter.com/MorbidPsych/status/1415869503582441482?s=20&t=Q8F1B0cEQBdvAuOYNQR4sQ

7/🧵

Of course, like all things, enjoyment of horror has some possible drawbacks.

One of those drawbacks is that horror fans might be a bit more prone to conspiracy theories due to their interest in threats:

https://twitter.com/MorbidPsych/status/1551990803656052736?s=20&t=9vRI5L1u-32kQiFQg0XUdA

8/🧵

And finally, one of my favorite threads. Horror is an exciting genre and I'm always learning something new about it.

Here's a thread with some of my favorite infographics about horror. I suspect some of these will surprise you as much as they did me!

https://twitter.com/MorbidPsych/status/1505808599569870852?s=20&t=1rvpFmV2nRLfmI2vH8rSrw

And of course, some spooky accounts to follow:

@RecFearLab
@MathiasClasen
@TTerkildsen
@HorrorLex
@ScholarHorror
@MHhorrordoc
@cass__clarke
@NeuroYogacara
@FacultyofHorror
@ZombifiedMedia
@horrorhomeroom
@CryptTV
@DreadCentral
@BDisgusting
@FreddyInSpace

Also, shoutout to the many collaborators who have done some spooky science with me

@RecFearLab
@MathiasClasen
@Marc_M_Andersen
@TTerkildsen
@mihaela_taranu
@JensKC
@JStubbersfield
@KChristensenPhD
@MichaelLouisPl1
@paola_baca527
@willjharrison
@PredictiveLife

Almost forgot @QuERBYLAB and @PEEP_lab!