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The Conversation

Edward White, PhD Candidate in Psychology, Kingston University

Stranger Things has kept our attention through clever use of ‘hauntology’ – a psychologist explains

Hawkins the Upside Down

For the final season of Stranger Things, millions of fans will take one last plunge into the Upside Down to watch an epic showdown against Vecna as he threatens the town of Hawkins – and the entire world. But what sparks our collective fascination with this dark, horror-filled universe?

The answer lies in psychological and philosophical principles that shed light on why we’re drawn not only to entertainment but also to information. Understanding why millions willingly immerse themselves in the terrifying world of the Upside Down reveals deep truths about human nature and our relationship with fear.

From ghost stories to true crime documentaries, our obsession with the macabre stems from a bias towards negativity: the tendency to react more strongly to negative information than to positive or neutral content.

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