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Writer's pictureLê Long Trường Thịnh

Why do we get scared when playing horror video games?







Reason 1:

When playing games or watching horror films, the mind is working to understand and feel what is going on with your experience in the games and movies you watch. It is human instinct to respond to stimulus. It is essentially an animal reaction function. Fear is an instinct that has ultimately helped humans survive the thousands of years of human history. That giant cat has teeth and claws that cleaves my flesh from my bone. I don't want or like that idea. Brain kicks into survival mode and anxiety and terror set into the system increasing fight or flight reactions. So big cat coming to eat me. I have a spear. Running exposes my back, standing my ground means I face this terrible meat eating machine. Kill the cat! (Brain no longer in control.) That is when adrenaline and violent instinct take over and your gambling with your life on the chance you can survive. The superior early humans survived these encounters by how they reacted to fear and terror. These superior traits are now expressed through reaction to artificial entertainment stimuli called horror genre in games and movies. Some people enjoy the thrill of the thrill and terror. They were the humans that are evolved from generations of flight or fight living. Sure, I don't have a source other than my general knowledge of how humans lived with nature. Being Native American and hunting in the mountains at 13 has its benefits in education and habits. If you see a mama bear with cubs, don't linger. If there is a moose and he/she is calm, don't create a stimulation beyond harmless human. If you are fortunate enough to notice a big cat before they attack, shoot to kill. Always carry a knife that is sharp. If you fall, hold your rifle up. Your body can heal, if your injured, and your rifle is damaged, your chances of surviving a predator attack are slim. And being a horror movie fan, I enjoy the fear of other human beings. Slashers. The super natural. The unknown. Zombies created through bite wounds. I enjoy them all. Games are no different. It does give a bit of an excitement knowing your skill with the control scheme decides the fate of the person on screen. Especially if they are impaled by a gross slashing meat grinding beast and you missed the head shot that was supposed to slow his advance on you. Lovely.

Reason 2:




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