I see it in hockey fights, everyone cheers when two players get in a fight. Then everyone cheers more when even more players get involved. Why do we like violence on TV and in sports?? Is it the adrenaline?
2007-01-19 16:30:53 · 17 answers · asked by Debi 3 in Social Science ➔ Psychology
I know it's funny and fun and awesome. But WHY?
2007-01-19 16:35:03 · update #1
We're all a bunch of closet gladiators. Monday morning quarterbacks and armchair mountaineers. The Romans didn't fight this primal urge, they built a great Coliseum to enjoy the spectacle of life and death while munching on grapes and staring at their concubine's exposed left breast. Nowadays, we can't actually feed Christians to the lions, but I digress.
We like violence so much because it is an innate quality of men (and some women, but that need not delay us here). The long complex trail of evolution that has brought us to the present day includes as part of its heritage a mob mentality of Schadenfreude (the ability to take pleasure in others' misfortunes). Public floggings, the pillory, the public guillotine executions, the public beheadings in not-so-distant Arab cultures, the public hangings, electrocutions, the list goes on. To somewhat bury this base human condition, we have mock gladiators on the grid iron, but the crowd is no less ecstatic, tapping into that deep place in their minds. We are violent because of the testosterone hormone in men, which is vital to reproduction. So, I think it's not so much adrenaline as it is testosterone.
2007-01-19 16:48:04 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I personally don't like violence. I don't like it in movies, sports or anywhere else for that matter. It makes me physically ill. I don't want to see it or hear it or know about it. I like peace and serenity. I don't even like reading the paper or listening to the news because it seems that is all that is reported. I try to avoid the negative and accentuate the positive. I guess it all depends on an individuals personality. Some people thrive on violence. They live it, breathe it and wallow in it. No thanks. Hatred will eat you alive. It takes entirely too much energy to harbor violent feelings. Hatred, rage etc... This probably didn't answer your question though. Violence is as old as man. It is part of our genetic make up. I have better ways to entertain myself than watching what you describe.
2007-01-20 00:52:15 · answer #2 · answered by NORTH WEST 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Maybe we are just curious as to what level it will be taken to. If it's just a small, harmless fight that is resolved shortly with no injuries then it's fine but if it is a seriously violent fight where it leads to death (like for example in gangs), then I would definitely say it's not my idea of "fun."
2007-01-20 00:40:30 · answer #3 · answered by mistaken_reflections 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe it is because most people live in sheltered lives so they get to experience something so raw and intense up close. I don't enjoy fights, but I feel that it brings out the true nature in people. In fights, people don't hold back and they open themselves up to become these savage beasts that survive off of pure emotion.
2007-01-20 00:36:29 · answer #4 · answered by ozarugold51 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
My theory is it has something to do with the endorphins released during the fight or flight response.
Adrenaline feels good. Endorphins feel good. Our lives have become boring and easy so we try to get that buzz we used to get as a race fighting for survival.
Just a theory.
2007-01-20 00:35:00 · answer #5 · answered by actionfolksinger 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeah, I think the sight of a fight gets your adrenaline pumping. especially if it is live and you can acctually see it. Your heart starts beating faster and you tense you muscles and cringe with every blow. Its all adrenaline
2007-01-20 00:34:36 · answer #6 · answered by David O 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's like the gladiators in the Arena of the Collosseum in ancient Rome - very exciting and entertaining, but at least there is no death involved anymore.
2007-01-20 00:48:22 · answer #7 · answered by CLICKHEREx 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I hate violence. Like ghetto fights and other exploitative movies like that, they make me sick. I do dig war however. I like violence on a mega scale.
2007-01-20 00:41:58 · answer #8 · answered by Neocoon 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It helps us lash out by venting through and from within our subconscious mind, the inhibitions of anger or frustrations we find wise not to display outwardly.
2007-01-20 00:39:43 · answer #9 · answered by Garret Tripp 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In the US, violence sells, just like sex. It's all about the dollars.
2007-01-20 00:33:42 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋