Why Are We Morbidly Curious?

TL;DR

We are inexplicably drawn to disturbing and repulsive things because they provide us with strength, catharsis, reality, exploration, acceptance, and meaning.

Transcript

Hey Vsauce. Michael here. In 1924 psychologist Carney Landis drew lines on people's faces and then photographed them in various scenarios to study facial expressions. But he didn't use actors and he didn't tell the participants to pretend to feel emotions. Instead, he subjected them to actual trauma. He had them do things like smell ammonia, look a... Read More

Key Insights

• ✊ Carney Landis' experiment in 1924 showed that participants would agree to perform disturbing acts under direct orders, highlighting the power of authority and the willingness of individuals to inflict harm.
• 😨 Our fascination with the morbid is driven by a desire for catharsis, exploration, acceptance, and meaning, as well as our brain's release of neurotransmitters like dopamine in response to fear.
• 🙈 Suppressing or tabooing disturbing things can actually make them more interesting, as seen with the Streisand Effect.
• 😆 Viewing disturbing images or experiencing horror stories can make us feel stronger and more satisfied for having faced and conquered the discomfort.
• ❓ Morbid curiosity can also result in schadenfreude, deriving pleasure from others' misfortunes, and can be used as a means of social comparison and seeking evaluations that put us on top.
• 🥺 Our fascination with the morbid can lead to a deeper understanding of existential questions, such as death and justice.
• 💠 Humor and morbidity share similarities in assessing shared attitudes and determining who is on the inside or outside of social norms.

Questions & Answers

Q: Why are we drawn to disturbing things like car accidents or disasters?

We are paradoxically fascinated by these things because they evoke strong emotions and provide a sense of reality and exploration. Our brains become more attentive and curious in the face of danger, releasing neurotransmitters that make us more alert.

Q: Is there a neurobiological basis for our interest in the morbid?

Yes, neurotransmitters like norepinephrine and dopamine are released when we are scared, preparing us to respond to threats. Dopamine is also part of our brain's reward system, motivating seeking and curiosity for their own sake.

Q: Does our interest in the morbid have any negative effects?

Our fascination with the morbid can lead to compulsive behavior or the "boomerang effect" where suppression of disturbing things makes them more interesting. It can also lead to "schadenfreude," deriving pleasure from others' misfortunes, which can be harmful in social contexts.

Q: How does our fascination with the morbid facilitate acceptance and empathy?

Exploring the morbid allows us to imagine someone else's suffering and empathize with their experiences. It reminds us of our own mortality and brings us closer together as we seek meaning and acceptance in the face of tragedy.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Psychologist Carney Landis conducted an experiment in 1924 where he subjected participants to traumatic experiences in order to study their facial expressions and emotions.

• We have an inherent fascination with disturbing things like car accidents, natural disasters, and macabre objects, even though they may be unpleasant.

• Our interest in the morbid is driven by the desire for catharsis, exploration, acceptance, and meaning, as well as the release of neurotransmitters like dopamine when we are in a state of fear.