Does the audio accompanying horror films have an emotional and physiological effect on females aged 18-25?

Abstract

Purpose: This studies objective was to find out whether the music used in horror films is the main cause for emotional stress amongst the audience. Design and Methodological approach: Primary data collection as well as sampling methods used with the five theories of emotion as the catalyst. A screening questionnaire was completed by all potential participants before being able to take part in the study. The study was set up as three separate viewings of the same scene with different audios - Increase condition (original soundtrack), decrease condition (relaxed music), control condition (no music). Findings: Due to lack of participants, the majority of the results remain inconclusive, however from the primary data collected from participants through heart rate monitors, behaviour tables, questionnaires and focus groups, it can be concluded that H3 was overall the most accurate and proven. The hypotheses are as follows: H1: The visual is more important than the audio on the emotional effects of the audience. H2 - The audio is more important than the visual on the emotional effects of the audience. H3 - The visual and audio are both equal on the emotional effects of the audience.