It makes sense that we run away from scary things. That’s a good way to stay alive. But why do some people also love scary things? Why do people gravitate toward horror?
Guests: Mathias Clasen and Marc Andersen, co-directors of the Recreational Fear Lab at Aarhus University
For show transcripts, go to vox.com/unxtranscripts
For more, go to vox.com/unexplaina ... Show More
Nov 19
Lost on the road to enlightenment
So many of us have been told that meditation can make us less stressed, more productive, and happier. But for a small group of people, it has a dark side. What’s going on?
Guests: Willoughby Britton, associate professor at Brown University; Richard Davidson, professor at the Uni ... Show More
35m 17s
Oct 2024
Exploring the Science of Spookiness at the Recreational Fear Lab
Why do so many of us love a good scare? Whether it’s horror movies, haunted houses or creepy podcasts, there’s something thrilling about feeling spooked—especially around Halloween. In this episode, host Rachel Feltman dives into our fascination with fear and morbid curiosity wit ... Show More
17m 32s
Sep 22
Why Are We Morbidly Curious - The Paranormal Podcast 902
Why do we slow down to stare at accidents, binge horror movies, or devour true crime podcasts? What draws us toward the dark and disturbing even when it frightens us? To explore this fascinating question, I’m joined by Dr. Colton Scrivner, a behavioral scientist and the world’s l ... Show More
43m 44s
Aug 2024
The Science of Morbid Curiosity w/ Dr. Coltan Scrivner
This week Scott is joined by true crime and morbid curiosity psychologist, Dr. Coltan Scrivner. Scott and Dr. Scrivner discuss how to determine your level of interest in morbid curiosity, why some people have a higher level of tolerance (and even attraction) to scary things, and ... Show More
1 h
Aug 23
#984 - Coltan Scrivner - Why We’re Drawn to Death, Crime, & Danger
Coltan Scrivner is a behavioral scientist, an expert on morbid curiosity in horror and true‑crime media, and an author. Why are humans so curious about death? From car accidents to scary stories, roller coasters, and horror movies, some people are fascinated while others are repu ... Show More
1h 6m
Jun 2024
Why should you be happy to see spiders in your home?
What's your relationship with spiders like? Some people are pretty terrified of them, and for many their first reaction is to grab something to squash them with.
Most likely, encountering spiders at home is a regular occurrence, and they're actually more beneficial than you migh ... Show More
4m 50s
Oct 1
Serpopsychology (WHAT’S CREEPY?) with Frank McAndrew
<p>Are you creepy? How would you know? What’s “creepy” as opposed to scary or eerie? We talk to the pioneer of this research, Serpopsychologist, Dr. Frank McAndrew, a professor emeritus at Knox College. We chat: dates that give you the willies, Weary Willie the Clown, haunted dol ... Show More
1h 9m