emotion--need - Historum

Mulligan · November 14th, 2012, 09:21 AM

it seems humans 'need'/want to watch emotional acts such as the sports goal/TD/'kill'; or movies/tv which every scene is an emotional confrontation....and at the end of the movies it is either sorrowful or uplifting music....why the need for this??

**unclefred** · November 14th, 2012, 10:00 AM

Our emotions help us to translate what we experience into a commonality that we can share with as well as understand others, and the human condition. I don't think it is in 'watching' only, but in reading, in music and in virtually anything that interests us.

**Brisieis** · November 14th, 2012, 10:05 AM

It is not just about emotion per say, it is entertainment - we like to be entertained and to also get lost in false realities so we can escape the drudgery of the real one.

Quote:

Originally Posted by unclefred

Our emotions help us to translate what we experience into a commonality that we can share with as well as understand others, and the human condition. I don't think it is in 'watching' only, but in reading, in music and in virtually anything that interests us.

Yeah, we also like to relate to other humans and by making a connection with something we become more 'at one' in a weird kind of way, as a species.

**Jake10** · November 19th, 2012, 09:34 PM

Part of it has to do with our health. People need to experience certain emotions on a day to day basis to stay healthy. It has a great deal to do with being social animals. We depend on others around us to stimulate emotions that keep us from becoming bored and leading to depression. In fact, we even need a little fear in our lives. It turns out that people who live in war zones are not as attracted to horror movies the same way that people who live in safe zones are. The people living in war zones have more than their share of fear, but the ones in safe zones need a little and seek in through their entertainment. Much the same way, movies aid in stimulating the emotions we need, and we seek the types of entertainment that results in that. People who have a lot of stress in their lives don't seek exciting entertainment as much. They tend to prefer something more relaxing.

Basically, entertainment aids us in balancing our emotional needs. and a balance in our day to day emotions keeps us healthy.

Mulligan · November 20th, 2012, 03:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jake10

Part of it has to do with our health. People need to experience certain emotions on a day to day basis to stay healthy. It has a great deal to do with being social animals. We depend on others around us to stimulate emotions that keep us from becoming bored and leading to depression. In fact, we even need a little fear in our lives. It turns out that people who live in war zones are not as attracted to horror movies the same way that people who live in safe zones are. The people living in war zones have more than their share of fear, but the ones in safe zones need a little and seek in through their entertainment. Much the same way, movies aid in stimulating the emotions we need, and we seek the types of entertainment that results in that. People who have a lot of stress in their lives don't seek exciting entertainment as much. They tend to prefer something more relaxing.

Basically, entertainment aids us in balancing our emotional needs. and a balance in our day to day emotions keeps us healthy.

so, just as long as we don't get depression, we're ok?? we really don't need 'visual' entertainment, correct?

Mulligan · November 20th, 2012, 03:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brisieis

It is not just about emotion per say, it is entertainment - we like to be entertained and to also get lost in false realities so we can escape the drudgery of the real one.

Yeah, we also like to relate to other humans and by making a connection with something we become more 'at one' in a weird kind of way, as a species.

the need for entertainment? because our brains 'need' something to do??could this be an evolutionary purpose?

**Jake10** · November 20th, 2012, 03:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mulligan

so, just as long as we don't get depression, we're ok?? we really don't need 'visual' entertainment, correct?

We will seek emotional stimuli long before we reach the point of depression. Depression can occur for a number of reasons, but one is that we can't find the emotional stimuli we need.

Visual entertainment is a broad term. For the Romans it happened in the arena, and people throughout history have been finding it in various different ways. Modern screens make it easy to get what we want, but I think the best form of entertainment is the one we experience in person.

**Brisieis** · November 20th, 2012, 06:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mulligan

the need for entertainment? because our brains 'need' something to do??could this be an evolutionary purpose?

Actually thinking about this in a serious way, I'm not quite sure. Maybe it is the whole 'love' for companionship combined with the emotional support we need socially (as a species) after all, it is becoming social creatures which helped us to progress and evolve as a species. And to become social creatures - emotion on some level is needed imo.

Humans are very emotional as a species, I guess that manifests in our entertainment and our lives.

kauchenvinci-0 · November 20th, 2012, 07:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jake10

It turns out that people who live in war zones are not as attracted to horror movies the same way that people who live in safe zones are. The people living in war zones have more than their share of fear, but the ones in safe zones need a little and seek in through their entertainment

Ok !
So now I know why I have a liking for the horror genre

!

Mulligan · November 20th, 2012, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brisieis

Actually thinking about this in a serious way, I'm not quite sure. Maybe it is the whole 'love' for companionship combined with the emotional support we need socially (as a species) after all, it is becoming social creatures which helped us to progress and evolve as a species. And to become social creatures - emotion on some level is needed imo.

Humans are very emotional as a species, I guess that manifests in our entertainment and our lives.

I never thought of 'emotional need' helping us evolve..very interesting