Negative Impact of horror films (Debate)

Negative impact of horror films

According to Heather Hinson, Abilene Mental Health Examiner, the question of whether or not horror movies have a definite negative effect on the human psyche remains an age old debate.

Although many believe in the theory that each generation becomes more desensitized to disturbing images of any kind as years pass, two questions remain. Has Hollywood gone too far, and how is this genre of films affecting the mental health of people.

Joanne Cantor, Ph.D, Professor Emerita and Outreach Director at the Centre for Communication Research said Individuals might, “suffer lingering emotional fallout if something in the environment reminds them of a scene, After seeing “Jaws,” some people stopped swimming in the ocean and felt eerie about lakes and pools."

They also affect young people as well as adults. Cantor’s research found that college students who watched scary movies or shows before 14 years old had trouble sleeping and felt anxious about typically safe activities or stopped engaging in them altogether.

Kathy Benjamin from Pajiba has given us some scientifically proven facts about the negative effects of horror movies. 

• They can ruin your health without you thinking or knowing about it.

Studies have shown that adrenalin junkies get real pleasure out of being scared by horror movies, but in a variety of ways they may be risking their physical and mental health without even knowing it. When we watch an intense scene in a film our heart rate and blood pressure increase. This can and does lead to heart attacks. Even if you are young and healthy, watching horror movies can mess with you in ways you didn't expect. When you get scared your adrenaline and cortisone levels rise.

• They make you more aggressive.

You had to know the controversial one was coming. Scientists, politicians, and parents have debated for decades if being exposed to violence through entertainment leads to actual real life violence. Overall the answer to that is probably still up in the air, but a new study seems to prove that watching aggression on screen can contribute to being a bully in real life, even if it is just in the short term.