These are the core questions that motivate much of my research, whether that research involves tracking participants’ eye movements as they inspect a cabinet of morbid items or measuring their heart rate as they fight their way through a haunted house.

I’ve been conducting pioneering research on the psychology of morbid curiosity and horror fans for several years. Most of my research looks at how and why people sometimes find enjoyment — and can perhaps learn something — from fictionally dangerous scenarios. My work has been covered by dozens of international newspapers, magazine, radio shows, and podcasts. You can check out some of the media coverage of my work here.