But Why Do We Create Monsters? | Part 3: Fear, Projection & the Psychology of Horror
But Why? Real talk on messy minds, and messier systems
Part 3 of our Halloween series: Monsters as Mirrors
If monsters reflect our fears, what does it say that we keep making them?
In this final episode of our Halloween trilogy, Kristin and Laura dig deep into the psychology of monstering, from ancient instincts to modern media. We explore how and why the human brain was built to see monsters...and why we still crave them.
From evolutionary survival mechanisms to existential dread, we unpack:
How fear comes first and logic comes later
Why we invent monsters to make sense of chaos
The role of projection, displacement, and group fear
Monsters as scapegoats for guilt, anxiety, and social control
Why we use horror to feel safe, bonded, and in control
How neurodivergent brains might experience monsters differently
What our favourite monsters reveal about our politics, culture & inner selves
This episode blends cognitive science, social psychology, existential theory, and lived experience into a final idea: our monsters are more human than we think...and so are we.