{"id":991154,"date":"2026-11-03T13:54:40","date_gmt":"2026-11-03T18:54:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/graziamagazine.com\/us\/?post_type=articles&p=991154"},"modified":"2026-11-03T13:54:40","modified_gmt":"2026-11-03T18:54:40","slug":"horrors-comedies-romance-viewing-preferences-brain","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/graziamagazine.com\/us\/articles\/horrors-comedies-romance-viewing-preferences-brain\/","title":{"rendered":"What Your Favorite Movie Genre Reveals About Your Personality, According to Psychology"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Woman
Getty\/Maskot<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Spooky season may be over but for some of us, liking horror<\/a> isn\u2019t for a season, it\u2019s a part of life. But what does this actually mean if you like or despise a scary movie? And how does this differ from comedy or action-lovers?<\/span><\/p>\n

Contrary to a belief held by some, binge-watching<\/a> the <\/span>Saw<\/span><\/i> films on a Saturday night doesn\u2019t actually make you a sociopath. \u201cEveryone has preferences regarding what they like to watch,\u201d says Natalie Buchwald Manhattan Mental Health Counseling. \u201cAnd it isn\u2019t a personality test.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

However, <\/span>research has found<\/span><\/a> that our viewing preferences tend to be related to what stimulates our brains the most. This can mean our preference of genre can be linked to how we process emotions \u2014 but it might also might link to our genes, our psyche and more…<\/span><\/p>\n

So, what does it mean to enjoy horror?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\u201cHorror allows us to experience fear in a controlled setting,\u201d Natalie explains. \u201cYou can feel your heart rate increase and your muscles tense whilst knowing that you can switch off the fear source whilst you\u2019re in a safe and secure setting.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

But \u2014 she adds \u2014 everyone\u2019s threshold of fear is different. And so, the same suspense that feels exhilarating to one can feel overwhelming to another.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHorror engages the brain systems that play an instrumental role in identifying and paying attention to danger.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

When you watch a film with \u2018jump scares\u2019, it heightens activity in the brain\u2019s amygdala, thalamus and brainstem (responsible for fight-or-flight mode) \u201cWhen there is suspense, you may find yourself paying attention to parts of the film that you wouldn\u2019t normally, for instance, the background or characters, minute facial expressions\u201d. This gives the brain a bit of a workout.<\/span><\/p>\n

The feeling of enjoying being in an uncomfortable position (such as being scared) is known as \u2018benign masochism\u2019 \u2014 in this care the brain gets scared and then realises it is actually safe, therefore feeling a thrill of a dopamine hit. Some people, however, don\u2019t get the same thrill \u2014 they feel the fear without the pleasure afterwards.<\/span><\/p>\n

So why does this actually happen? Well it could be in our genes. A study from researchers at the University of Bonn found that it may be linked to what variations of something known as the COMT gene, which regulates the breakdown of dopamine. Those with a certain variation of the gene may be able to handle the scares in a horror more effectively \u2014 and also may respond better to real-life pressure too.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Shadow
Getty\/craig fordham<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What does it mean if comedy is your favourite genre?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Comedies<\/a> can sometimes be predictable, however, there is often a shift, chop and change, Natalie says. \u201cThe brain must keep up with what\u2019s happening and rationalise the surprises.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

And so, \u201cthe appeal of watching a comedy is often the mental shift that occurs throughout the film,\u201d she says. Comedy can feel like an \u2018easy watch\u2019, and generally it is \u2014 it\u2019s a genre for people who like to have an easy laugh and don\u2019t want to be challenged too much. However, you\u2019re still tracking misunderstandings, dissecting sarcasm and following the characters\u2019 intentions, Natalie points out.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cObserving a character survive an embarrassing situation can make your own experiences feel less isolating,\u201d she says. Watching a comedy with friends or family can also be a social bonding tool as you laugh together.<\/span><\/p>\n

What does it mean to enjoy romantic films?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\u201cRomantic plots are often built on a foundation of understanding another person\u2019s wants and desires,\u201d says Natalie. For instance, a character may be hiding their feelings, misjudging situations or be fearful of rejection.<\/span><\/p>\n

She says that this empathy draws on \u2018mentalizing,\u2019 also referred to as \u2018theory of mind,\u2019 the ability to infer other people\u2019s thoughts, feelings and intentions. \u201cAudiences often know something the characters don\u2019t when watching a romantic film,\u201d which means we have a sense of empathy for characters.<\/span><\/p>\n

Studies also show<\/span><\/a> that people who enjoy romantic films may have strong romantic ideals, such as believing in The One, or that love conquers all.<\/span><\/p>\n

So, what does my film choice say about me?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

There isn\u2019t one genre that is best for everyone\u2019s brain. A horror movie can feel exhilarating to one person and exhausting to another; a romance can feel reassuring one evening and painful the next. Research tends to find that we will pick a choice depending on what our mood is that day.<\/span><\/p>\n

So next time you watch something, \u201cpay attention to what the experience leaves you with,\u201d Natalie suggests. \u201cYour response tells you more about what suits you at that moment than a sweeping claim about what your favourite genre means.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":42794,"featured_media":991155,"template":"","format":"standard","categories":[6939,16,2723],"yoast_head":"\nThis is what your favourite genre preferences mean for your brain<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Love the thrill of a horror? Or does it riddle you with anxiety? 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