In the words of Arthur Conan Doyle ( and as a companion post with this week’s featured author, 1-5-2016 Tales of Terror, “The Horror of the Heights”),
“Where there is no imagination, there is no horror.”
So, let’s see now, why do we love to read horror stories and terrifying suspense mysteries? Why do we watch horror movies? Is it to stimulate our imaginations? Is it because some of us love gore-watching or identifying with killers? Or maybe it’s because we like to face the unknown safely in our reading chairs or comfy movie theater seats. As an avid reader, film lover, and writer of supernatural, mystery, and horror, I ask these questions all the time.
Below is a link to FilmmakerIQ.com John P. Hess’ 15-minute vimeo on this very subject. Hess explores the “Psychology of Scary Movies” theories from contemporary scientific professionals to Freud, Jung, Aristotle and much more. When I came across this vimeo some time ago, I found it informative and insightful. I hope you do too.
<p><a href=”https://vimeo.com/77636515″>The Psychology of Scary Movies</a> from <a href=”https://vimeo.com/filmmakeriq”>FilmmakerIQ.com</a> on <a href=”https://vimeo.com”>Vimeo</a>.</p>
We could say there is no single answer to the question, but if you have a theory, agreement or disagreement, please post.
Paula Cappa 
Steven, for me, ghost stories are the biggest attraction. I like to explore theories about what’s on the other side and see what other writers have to say about it. Actually, this was the motivation for me to write The Dazzling Darkness. The ghosts in this story are certainly unconventional. Why do ghosts exists? I love that question!
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I like watching documentaries like these, and reading about this kind of question. It’s a question I ask myself from time to time, one that I feel like I have to have an answer ready for when somebody ask me, “Why do you like to watch scary movies/read scary stories?” My “theory”/answer is that we like to watch what is often forbidden in real life but also horror stories teach us to stay away from what is forbidden or dangerous in real life.
Thanks for sharing that link.
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