This document is a summary by Adam Wilkowski, Conner Harling, and Bailey Harris-Kelly of their research on the psychological horror genre for a class assignment. They learned that psychological horror can be confused with other genres like slasher films but is communicated more through narrative elements than icons. Older audiences are better able to recognize psychological horror compared to younger viewers. Common icons associated with psychological horror include masks and knives due to their connections to violence and changing identities.
3. What We've Learnt from The Research
• The genre can easily be associated/confused with other genres such
as slasher.
• The specific subgenre is mainly communicated through elements like
narrative rather than physical icons.
• Older demographics are more able to recognize this subgenre
compared to young people.
• The images commonly associated with Psychological subgenre include
primarily masks and knives, due to their connotations
of physical violence and masking identity
