Psychological Research Into Why Teenagers Enjoy Thriller Films

Psychologically people love thriller films this isn't just because of the suspense and tension which builds up throughout the film but the fear that your brain recognises and its response after. Your brain loves thrillers for a plethora of reasons. First of all, when your brain recognises a stressful event the endocrine system and ANS work together e.g if something stressful happens (a scene in the film frightens you) the ANS changes from its parasympathetic state (resting) to sympathetic (aroused). Secondly, the pituitary gland releases a hormone (ACTH) and this hormone has an effect on adrenal glands causing them to release adrenaline. After, the adrenaline triggers changes in the body creating physiological arousal needed for flight or fight response. When this flight or fight response is triggered; likely to be fight when watching a thriller, you become excited and on edge. This psychological theory can explain why teenagers love thriller films and are thus my target audience. Also due to the fact of the flight or fight response happening the most frequently in young active brains.