Why and what types of people watch horror?

http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2012/10/31/why-some-people-love-horror-movies-while-others-hate-them/

http://www.valmorgan.co.nz/audiences/profiles/horror-movies/

Horror movies are not always what many people liked to watch whereas others love the fact of jumping out of your skin! It is more likely that men are more interested in the genre horror because men liked to show off their bravery and strength, whereas females are more likely to seek physical closeness when they are scared, for example, cuddling. Also, females are less likely to be scared if they are with somebody who isn’t showing or just isn’t frightened of what they are watching. Some people are simply wired to enjoy high levels of physiological arousal, Sparks said. According to the literature, he said, about 10 percent of the population enjoys the adrenaline rush. Sparks used the example that some people love rollercoaster’s, however some do not.

This diagram shows the difference of the likeliness of different age groups who watch horror movies against the general population. It is seen that people aged from 18 to 24 years of age are more likely to watch horror movies which is the peak time of adulthood where people are likely to try new things and are able to watch rated 18 movies in the cinemas.

The narrative theorists Bulmer and Katz approached the understanding of social interest and approach. This developed into why people choose watch they watch due to their needs. This could be through diversion because they need to sense of escaping reality for a bit which is more likely for people aged 18-24 because they are beginning a career or trying to find themselves as an individual so they feel better watching something which boosts their adrenaline and gives them a source of fear.

From this research from Pearl and Dean shows that overall females are more likely to visit the cinema and are more interested in family focus films because females are more likely to watch children films with their children as men are more interested in action movies which is shown in films for over 18’s.