In an era marked by global uncertainty, it’s natural to feel a sense of anxiety about the future. So, this week on Doing Well: The Wellbeing Science Insights Podcast, host Lu Ngo interviews behavioral scientist Coltan Scrivner, Ph.D. on how the practice of morbid curiosity can, unexpectedly, offer benefits to our well-being.

Based at the Recreational Fear Lab at Aarhus University in Denmark, Coltan Scrivner, Ph.D. investigates the evolutionary and psychological underpinnings of our fascination with the darker side of life. Impressively, Coltan Scrivner, Ph.D. is in the midst of writing his first book on the science behind morbid curiosity and our fascination with horror, true crime, the paranormal, and other spooky parts of life. Slated for publishing by Penguin Random House, the book will dive into how enjoyment of scary entertainment is related to personality, mental health, and the evolution of our species.

In this episode, Coltan Scrivner, Ph.D. sheds light on the surprising connection between morbid curiosity and well-being, sharing that those who practice morbid curiosity wind up learning valuable lessons from their seemingly carefree experiences of visiting haunted houses or spiraling into a rabbit hole of apocalyptic films, leading them to rank highly in positive resilience during the pandemic.

Together, Lu and Coltan Scrivner, Ph.D. exchange ideas for how to practice morbid curiosity, especially for those who are unfamiliar with the endeavor. So, tune in this week for an eye-opening discussion chock full of evidence-based knowledge, entertaining personal anecdotes, and more!

Connect with Coltan Scrivner, Ph.D.’s social media on:

Website: http://www.coltanscrivner.com/ and https://coltanscrivner.substack.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MorbidPsych

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