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Comment
. 2021 Feb;25(2):93-94.
doi: 10.1016/j.tics.2020.12.001. Epub 2020 Dec 15.

The Paradox of Pleasurable Fear

Paul Bloom  1
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The Paradox of Pleasurable Fear

Paul Bloom. Trends Cogn Sci. 2021 Feb.

Abstract

Why do some people enjoy being afraid? A recent study by Andersen et al. found an inverted U-shaped relationship between fear and enjoyment, consistent with the theory that the pursuit of pleasurable fear is a form of play.

Keywords: fear; paradox of horror; play; pleasure.

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