Another theory that Burggraf has is called the continuous reward theory. This is the theory that horror movies may cause pleasure in ways that occur during and after the movie such as excitement. Also this theory includes the idea that people feel connected when they experience fear together. They may bond over the fact that they were afraid during the exact same moment, and relieved in the next.
Burggraff tested both of her theories by showing her subjects clips from the X files and Friday the 13th Part III. Her responses made most of her theoretical ideas to be true. When testing the relief theory she found that her subjects did report a higher enjoyment level after the clip as opposed to during. Also, when she tested the continuous reward theory, she found that subjects only reported a higher excitement level but viewing did not provide them much else.
Burggraf, Susan. "Susan Burggraf Explores the Appeal of Horror Movies." Bowdoin. 14 May 2000. 17 Feb. 2008
1 comment:
i think that these theories are only partially valid, although she has evidence to back them up. The first one makes sense with the relief, however many scary movies do not always offer relief, at least not until the very end (thats what keeps and makes them scary throughout) and also I never really have bonded with characters of horror movies because they usually have some weird unnatural reason they are being chased etc.
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