Horror vs. Terror
Difference between Horror and Terror: – Terror and horror are closely related, however, although many people believe that both concepts describe the same reality, the truth is that they refer to different things and must be avoided to confuse or use them indistinctly.
Difference between Horror and Terror
As we know you might have some doubts about it, here’s the difference between horror and horror.
Terror
Terror is an extreme fear of a given situation or event. This fear has nothing to do with supernatural elements, but the cause is usually something real.
Many writers create suspense in their novels in order to lead readers to terrifying experiences. When terror seizes us we cannot think rationally and in many cases, our body does not respond as it should. There are even those who experience these types of feelings are paralyzed or unable to speak. In more extreme cases, some people have died because of this.
When we talk about literature and horror films, we must understand that what it refers to is the use or presence of elements that cause scares or much fear; but that have nothing to do with paranormal events.
For example, in a horror movie there are no ghosts, vampires or witches; but there may be killers and biological weapons.
Note: currently in art: cinema, literature … the terms horror and terror are used as synonyms, which is why in certain cases the category “Terror” groups both the art that has to do with infusing fear through situations that have rational cause, as well as art that uses the paranormal.
The difference we try to establish in this article, we make based on the original and traditional meaning of these concepts.
When there is an earthquake or a tsunami people can experience terror. This has much to do with extreme anxiety, uncertainty and fear of the unknown.
Horror
Horror is an emotion and often relates to other emotions such as adversity and despair. Unlike terror, in this case it is common that it is due to the presence of elements that have no rational explanation; like demons, ghosts and other creatures. Although as previously mentioned, in some cases there is no difference between the two concepts discussed here.
In some contexts the horror can also refer to that rejection or deep adversity that certain things cause us. For example, someone might be horrified to see a person with tumors all over the body. From this it follows that horror is not always directly related to fear or fear; but it can be the result of a strong impression and something that causes us a great astonishment in the negative sense.
Key Differences between Horrors a Terror
- Terror is an intense fear, while horror is an emotion that in some cases is not directly related to fear.
- When it comes to the genre of terror, the elements that appear have a rational cause; while in the case of the horror genre supernatural elements are presented.
- Example of the horror genre is the movie Psychosis.
- Example of the horror genre is the movie The Exorcist.
