Professor Scott breaks down science of spoilers

September 26, 2024

How do you feel about the ending of a book, movie or television show being spoiled? Angry? Upset? Or relieved?

While “no spoilers” has become a common refrain, it doesn’t apply to everyone. Time editor Angela Haupt loves spoilers, so much so that she won’t start watching a program unless she knows how it ends. Haupt isn’t alone. She discussed the phenomenon of spoilers with Whittier College Social Psychology Professor Christina Scott in a recent article.

Scott also adores spoilers and theorizes that wanting to know what happens helps bring certainty into people’s own uncertain lives. She compares it to choosing a type of ride at a theme park.

“Some people want to go on roller coasters that flip them upside down,” Scott said. “I just want to go on the cute little merry-go-round. You need to do whatever’s going to help you enjoy the ride.”

Read more at Time.com.

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