The Master of Fear: Why Stephen King Became Everybody’s Favorite Boogeyman

Name of applicant

Mathias Clasen

Title

Associate Professor

Institution

Aarhus University

Amount

DKK 739,180

Year

2024

Type of grant

Monograph Fellowships

Summary

Stephen King is world-famous for his horror stories, yet the reason for his massive popularity remains unclear This book uses insights from cognitive and evolutionary psychology, the science of recreational fear, and digital humanities to reveal how King’s horror taps into deep psychological responses and emotional engagement, offering a fresh, data-driven explanation for his lasting success.

Back to listing page