Professor to Speak about Horror Entertainment at USC Sumter
Dr. Jonathan Bassett will present, "Why We Like to be Scared: The Psychology of Horror Entertainment."
Sumter, SC (10/17/2023) — The University of South Carolina Sumter announced they will be hosting Dr. Jonathan Bassett, for a presentation entitled, "Why We Like to be Scared: The Psychology of Horror Entertainment". The talk is free, open to the public, and will take place on Wednesday, October 25, 6:05 - 6:50 PM in the Arts and Letters Lecture Hall on the USC Sumter campus (200 Miller Road).
A professor in the Department of Psychological Science and Human Services at Lander University, Bassett teaches courses in the psychology of horror and death and dying. He received a B.A. in psychology from Furman University and an M.A. and Ph.D. in social psychology from Georgia State University. His research focuses on the application of existential psychology to the analysis of popular culture.
Bassett's presentation will discuss the popularity of horror entertainment and why it is a consistently lucrative entertainment genre all year round. It seems counterintuitive that so many people pay to intentionally seek out negative emotions like fear, disgust, and shock that are clearly considered unpleasant in other contexts. In preparation for Halloween, come hear Dr. Jonathan Bassett discuss the psychology behind why we like to be scared, as reviewed in his recent book "Death on the Small Screen: The Psychology of Watching Violent Television" (McFarland Books, 2022). Dr. Bassett will explore our many motives for watching horror and discuss the ways that horror provides us with opportunities to think about important social issues and psychological questions.
"We are thrilled to host engaging programs and talks at USC Sumter! They give our students, faculty, staff, and community an enriching opportunity to learn from one another," said Dr. Ray McManus, Chair of the Division of Arts and Letters and the Division of Humanities, Social Sciences and Education at USC Sumter. "Dr. Bassett's talk will be timely and fun, and the first of many that we plan to host this academic year."
This presentation is sponsored by the Cultural Events Committee at USC Sumter, Division of Arts & Letters, Division of Humanities, Social Sciences, & Education, The Office of the Dean, and The Office of the Executive Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs. This event is free, open to the public and intended for mature audiences.
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Dr. Jonathan Bassett, will present a talk entitled, “Why We Like to be Scared: The Psychology of Horror Entertainment”
