Morbid Minds

Emotion Regulation

Suppression Can Be Good for Your Mental Health

Coltan Scrivner Ph.D. on April 4, 2024

Conventional wisdom says suppressing difficult thoughts is bad, but new research suggests it may be useful in some cases.

Conventional wisdom says suppressing difficult thoughts is bad, but new research suggests it may be useful in some cases.

Anxiety

Scary and Unstructured Play Builds Resilience in Kids

Coltan Scrivner Ph.D. on May 11, 2023

To learn how to overcome fear and anxiety, children have to experience it — and the best way to experience it is to play with it.

To learn how to overcome fear and anxiety, children have to experience it — and the best way to experience it is to play with it.

Anger

Why We're Interested in Serial Killer Manifestos

Coltan Scrivner Ph.D. on April 7, 2023

There's a desire to understand the darker side of the human species that is hidden in the shadows of the mind.

There's a desire to understand the darker side of the human species that is hidden in the shadows of the mind.

Empathy

Do Horror Fans Have Low Empathy?

Coltan Scrivner Ph.D. on May 23, 2022

Many people assume horror fans are unempathetic—but the science isn't so clear.

Many people assume horror fans are unempathetic—but the science isn't so clear.

Forgiveness

Why We Are Fascinated by Serial Killers

Coltan Scrivner Ph.D. on May 1, 2022

Why are we intrigued by serial killers? Our ability to mentally simulate experiences and our evolutionary relationship with predators may be to blame.

Why are we intrigued by serial killers? Our ability to mentally simulate experiences and our evolutionary relationship with predators may be to blame.

Dreaming

Morbid Curiosity in Your Dreams

Coltan Scrivner Ph.D. on January 26, 2022

Can our morbid curiosity seep into our dreams?

Can our morbid curiosity seep into our dreams?

Anxiety

How You Could Use Horror to Overcome Anxiety

Coltan Scrivner Ph.D. on October 26, 2021

Why would a movie meant to make you feel anxious actually help you cope with anxiety? It's all about practice.

Why would a movie meant to make you feel anxious actually help you cope with anxiety? It's all about practice.

Sensation-Seeking

How 3 Types of Fans Benefit from Horror

Coltan Scrivner Ph.D. on October 14, 2021

Horror isn't just about the adrenaline rush; some people learn about themselves from engaging in scary play.

Horror isn't just about the adrenaline rush; some people learn about themselves from engaging in scary play.

Fear

3 Key Traits of Morbidly Curious People

Coltan Scrivner Ph.D. on October 13, 2021

These three traits strongly influence whether or not someone tends to experience morbid curiosity.

These three traits strongly influence whether or not someone tends to experience morbid curiosity.

Empathy

A Film Critic Claims "Saw" Fans Are Depraved. Is He Right?

Coltan Scrivner Ph.D. on May 30, 2021

A movie critic claims that fans of horror movies like Saw are "depraved lunatics." What does the science say?

A movie critic claims that fans of horror movies like Saw are "depraved lunatics." What does the science say?

Motivation

The Psychological Roots of Gruesome Violence

Coltan Scrivner Ph.D. on March 13, 2021

A recent study suggests that engaging in gruesome violence might be an evolution-inspired strategy for signaling formidability.

A recent study suggests that engaging in gruesome violence might be an evolution-inspired strategy for signaling formidability.

Leadership

Are We Really Terrorized By Thoughts of Death?

Coltan Scrivner Ph.D. on March 1, 2021

Do we really experience paralyzing terror at the thought of death? Morbid curiosity and replication problems with Terror Management Theory suggest that we don't.

Do we really experience paralyzing terror at the thought of death? Morbid curiosity and replication problems with Terror Management Theory suggest that we don't.

Psychology

What Is Morbid Curiosity?

Coltan Scrivner Ph.D. on February 22, 2021

Why are we so intrigued by danger, death, and disgust?

Why are we so intrigued by danger, death, and disgust?