Why do people enjoy tragedy

These good feelings may result from feeling grateful for the circumstances in our lives or from feeling connected to other people or both. Paul Zak for their help with this article. Music is the universal language, but it can also be a universal healing agent.

We take a look at how the right sounds can enhance and improve moods. This pillow claims to relieve stress, tension, and anxiety — but does it work? We put it to the test. Ready to play air guitar with a rake? We've got some pacey, uplifting autumnal vibes you can dig while digging. Health misinformation runs rampant on social media. Note: Content may be edited for style and length. Science News. Journal Reference : S. Knobloch-Westerwick, Y.

Gong, H. Hagner, L. Communication Research , ; DOI: ScienceDaily, 26 March Ohio State University. Smiling through the tears: Study shows how tearjerkers make people happier. Retrieved November 12, from www.

Yeah I thought it seemed like a really interesting subject and I knew I wanted to go at it from a scientific perspective because I love reading stuff like that, so it was fun to find all those references. The tragedy lies in the double suicide, of course, but it also lies in the fact that the two of […].

Aristotle preferred tragedy, which he believed purified us through providing catharsis. Shakespeare […]. Your email address will not be published. Notify me of followup comments via e-mail. You can also subscribe without commenting. Patron Love. Tragedy and Comedy: Understanding the Psychology and Neurology Why do people enjoy tragedy and comedy?

Questions for the Writer 1. If stories have this much power, what are the implications for the writer? Author Recent Posts. Hint: It's not schadenfreude. In about three hours, moviegoers watch as more than 1, people die, several characters commit suicide, and the female protagonist loses "the one. Before and after the film, they asked the respondents several questions to measure how happy they were with their lives.

They also asked them before, after, and three times during the movie to rate how much they were feeling various emotions, including sadness.