EPISODE · Nov 12, 2025 · 33 MIN
Ep. 35 The Psychology of Scary Music: Why Horror Soundtracks Terrify Us
from The Sound Mind · host Sophia Omarji
In this episode, we explore why scary music scares us and why we secretly love it. Through the psychology of sound, evolution, and emotion, we uncover how horror composers tap into our deepest instincts to create fear through the manipulation of frequency, silence, and dissonance. We trace how the sound of fear has evolved and what it reveals about our relationship with emotion, control, and thrill. We also unpack why some of us seek out fear for pleasure, and how scary music offers a safe space to experience intensity, release, and even joy.CHAPTERS:0:00 Intro01:19 The Evolutionary Function of Fear in Sound08:44 The Tricks Behind Scary Music17:06 Why We Love to Be Scared24:26 How Scary Music Has Evolved31:58 Summary and OutroFollow us on Instagram: @thesoundmindtalksJoin The Sound Mind Circle for exclusive content! https://tinyurl.com/thesoundmindmembershipSupport us: https://buymeacoffee.com/thesoundmindtalks
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Ep. 35 The Psychology of Scary Music: Why Horror Soundtracks Terrify Us
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