Nightmare Blueprint: How Personality Types and Anxiety Levels Influence Enjoyment of the Horror Genre

Horror films have continued to fascinate audiences, yet the reasons behind the appeal and enjoyment of horror films remains complex. This study explores how personality traits, morbid curiosity, and anxiety levels influence an individual’s enjoyment of horror across five horror genres. While past research has linked horror preferences to sensation-seeking and lower empathy, this study takes a broader approach, incorporating the Big Five personality traits, morbid curiosity, and anxiety as key factors. A sample of 35 participants from a liberal arts college completed assessments on personality and anxiety before viewing horror clips across five sub-genres. After each clip, participants reported changes in mood and anxiety levels, allowing for an analysis of individual differences in emotional responses. Using statistical analyses, including regression modeling, this study examines the role of personality and morbid curiosity in shaping both anxiety responses and horror enjoyment. By analyzing individual differences in emotional responses, this research seeks to answer a fundamental question: Why do some people seek out terrifying experiences while others avoid them? The findings offer new insights into the psychological appeal of horror, contributing to a deeper understanding of how personality influences media preferences—particularly in genres that provoke strong emotional reactions.