Long Island University Digital Commons @ LIU Undergraduate Honors College Theses 2016- LIU Post 2018 The Aesthetics and Psychology Behind Horror Films Michelle Park Long Island University,
[email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.liu.edu/post_honors_theses Recommended Citation Park, Michelle, "The Aesthetics and Psychology Behind Horror Films" (2018). Undergraduate Honors College Theses 2016-. 31. https://digitalcommons.liu.edu/post_honors_theses/31 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the LIU Post at Digital Commons @ LIU. It has been accepted for inclusion in Undergraduate Honors College Theses 2016- by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ LIU. For more information, please contact
[email protected]. The Aesthetics and Psychology Behind Horror Films An Honors Program Thesis by Michelle Park Spring, 2018 Psychology Faculty Advisor: John Koshel Reader: Grace Rossi Date Table of Contents Introduction 1 Chapter 1: The Allure of Horror Film 3 Chapter 2: Mise-en-scène In Horror Movies 13 Chapter 3: Science Behind Horror 32 Chapter 4: Dark 43 Conclusion 50 References 51 Abstract We usually define “fear” as a negative emotion, which is unpleasant. Normally, we desperately want to avoid this emotion because it causes distress and terror. However, the aesthetics and psychology behind horror films explain “fear” can be a pleasurable experience. “Fear” is an essential element in horror genre, which is why we consistently crave the adrenaline rush in scary films. Neuroscientists, psychologists, and filmmakers constantly study viewers’ fear responses to see which techniques can terrify audiences. This thesis demonstrates the different methods filmmakers create to attract the audience in enjoying horror films.