Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard Coltan Scrivner (on morbid curiosities)
Dec 10, 2025
Coltan Scrivner is a psychologist and researcher specializing in morbid curiosity and horror psychology, and author of "Morbidly Curious." He discusses his preference for hands-on research, including studying fear responses in Danish haunted houses. Coltan introduces his four domains of morbid curiosity, explores the appeal of true crime, and debunks myths connecting horror media to violent behavior. He even shares surprising ghost-hunting experiences. Plus, he provides insights into how children can safely engage with scary content.
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Haunted-House Field Study In Denmark
- Coltan ran an empirical study in a Danish haunted-house with heart-rate monitors and video.
- He used facial coding and interviews to link physiological arousal with reported fun.
Let Kids Play With Fear
- Let children play with spooky themes to build fear-regulation skills.
- Early playful exposure helps them practice emotional regulation useful in adulthood.
Stories Let Us Learn Danger Safely
- Humans simulate dangers safely via stories and culture, gaining learning without cost.
- Language and storytelling let us rehearse rare threats more cheaply than direct experience.
