New research suggests that we set our film preferences based on how much they stimulate our brains.
A study led by the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg compared data on film preferences with recordings of the brain activity of around 260 people.
The results suggest that action film aficionados are particularly susceptible to emotional stimuli and find that type of stimulation appealing.
“The team found similar brain activity in the brains of people who preferred comedies,” the study report said.
“A different picture emerged, however, for fans of crime films or thrillers and documentaries.
“Here, both areas of the brain reacted significantly less to the emotional stimuli than in the other groups of participants. It appears that people choose the film genres that most optimally stimulate their brains.”
The researchers chose to study the link between films and the brain because movies were designed to depict every human emotion, and also evoke them.
As part of a larger study, the respondents also provided information about their film preferences.
The participants’ brain activity was analysed using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Subjects were shown fearful or angry faces and geometric shapes while lying in an MRI machine.
The researchers said they were surprised that action films showed the strongest emotional reactions.
We hadn’t expected this, as action films typically provide many stimuli,” the research report said. “Thus, it would have made more sense if action fans had been less easy to stimulate.”
The results were published in the journal Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience.
