Have you ever wondered why we’re drawn to the dark side?

Last week I talked about my reasons for writing dark fiction. This week, I wanna bring psychology into reading dark fiction. So if you’re feeling compelled to the stories filled with fear, pain, danger, gore, and tragedy, and if you’re wondering why, read on. 

It turns out, our preference for reading dark fiction is not just a random quirk of our tastes. We’re not odd, or ‘evil’ for reading dark fiction. Psychology research shows that reading dark fiction serves a purpose.

Dr Mathias Clasen, a psychologist who specializes in the study of horror, has some explanations for readers. He suggests that we seek dark fiction because it allows us to explore our fears in a safe, controlled way.

Think about it. It’s fear without danger.

Dr Clasen’s research focuses on the idea that horror and dark fiction provides what he calls a “simulation training” for real-world fear. People often seek out scary stories, because they trigger the body’s natural fight-or-flight response, but in a controlled – and safe – setting. We experience riding that fight-or-flight response, and then we put the book down and move on with our lives, while our bodies practice returning to a calm state.

So, when we’re reading a book or watching a movie, our brain knows we’re safe—even though our hearts might be racing. Experiencing fear in this way can actually be helpful in preparing us for real-life stressors.

In other words, dark fiction is like a rehearsal for dealing with anxiety.

Interesting, right?

Also think about all those haunted house attractions and spooky mazes. We confront fear head on, knowing there’s no real danger, and it helps us practice dealing with fear.

What about you? What’s your experience with reading dark fiction? What do you get out of it? Has dark fiction helped you cope with fear in real life? Let me know your thoughts in the comments.