I loved greek mythology and really any urban legend tales growing up. But the more I read, the more I realized how similar they were. And right now, as a born again christian, I sit with a different belief. I believe that the enemy (aka the devil) has spread lies throughout the world through humans in the form of urban legends and stories. The simple psychological motives for that is control and power. As a society we can argue that we're free but in reality the stories we keep alive and the lies we believe contribute to the anxieties people suffer today. Some of the urban legends people believe, like Bloody Mary, reflect our deep anxiety of the spiritual unknown. So we put it in a story as if to contain it and give it parameters that we think won't spill out.
I love urban legends and folklore! I think it's so interesting how so many cultures can have stories of the same creature, though they're oceans apart. I've really gotten into cryptids and mythology recently and I think the psychology behind it is so fascinating. A lot of these horrifying creatures were born from parents making up a story to scare their children from running off in the night, and through word of mouth these stories get passed from generation to generation until they become something much greater and scarier. I think a lot of these stories also come from our desire to explain the unexplainable, like random disappearances or strange happenings in small towns, it's easier to blame it on a made up monster than believe that it might be humanity behind it.
Uber legends are fascinating to me because I believe they might have some truth behind them just not in a literal way. Urban legends might just be a twist of the truth that meant to keep people safe from something or just a really exaggerated truth. This is why some urban legends can be similar to another urban legend. An example is the old wives tell that if you shave the hair will grow back thicker. This probably came from the hair appearing to grow back thicker.
The psychological motives that help spread urban legends are the fascination we have with them. Many of the stories are shocking and introcate. They also allow us to explain the unexplainable just like the Mayans believed that the God's would grant them water in exchange for a human sacrifice. Back then, rain was a mystery. Now, we can explain it through science and although many urban legends are explainable it's still fun to have theories and make stories
Urban legends spread and persist due to a combination of psychological motives, including the need for social connection and belonging, the desire for novelty and excitement, and the instinctual fear of the unknown or the unexplained. These stories often tap into our deepest fears and anxieties, providing a way for individuals to make sense of the world around them and cope with uncertainty. Moreover, urban legends serve as cautionary tales, warning us about potential dangers or moral lessons. They reflect cultural anxieties and societal values by highlighting societal concerns, taboos, and prejudices. For example, urban legends about strangers luring children or dangerous substances hidden in Halloween candy reflect fears about child safety and trust in society. Similarly, legends about haunted places or cursed objects reflect cultural beliefs about death, the afterlife, and superstition. Overall, urban legends offer a fascinating glimpse into the collective psyche of a culture, revealing its hopes, fears, and values.
As a child I always heard different urban legends or folklores. I grew up in a home where we went to church almost everyday. With going to church everyday I always heard sayings that to some are weird but to me it completely normal. Such as, when its raining/ storming we were told to "sit down while the lord is working", "Cover those mirrors it lightning outside." If there was change under the table or chairs and even the bed, we would hear 'Leave those coins where they are, somebody might have put roots on them." To this day I still have no clue what some of the things actually meant or if they were things just meant to scare us and have us sit down.
This topic really interests me. You hear so many stories about crazy looking creatures and different events that have happened. I think most of these have been made up over the years because humans love the unknown and the mystery and fear that it creates. It is strange when multiple people describe the same event or the same creature, making you think if it could be true or not. I do feel like urban legends can cause social anxieties because it invokes fear in everyone that lives in that area. Some people dedicate their lives to finding the truth about some of these stories or creatures.
Robert: Urban legends spread because they tap into fear, curiosity, and the need to make sense of the unknown. For me, they’ve always felt like cautionary tales that stick in your mind. They often reflect deeper cultural anxieties—like fears about technology, strangers, or moral decline—and reveal what a society values or worries about most.
I loved greek mythology and really any urban legend tales growing up. But the more I read, the more I realized how similar they were. And right now, as a born again christian, I sit with a different belief. I believe that the enemy (aka the devil) has spread lies throughout the world through humans in the form of urban legends and stories. The simple psychological motives for that is control and power. As a society we can argue that we're free but in reality the stories we keep alive and the lies we believe contribute to the anxieties people suffer today. Some of the urban legends people believe, like Bloody Mary, reflect our deep anxiety of the spiritual unknown. So we put it in a story as if to contain it and give it parameters that we think won't spill out.
ReplyDeleteI love urban legends and folklore! I think it's so interesting how so many cultures can have stories of the same creature, though they're oceans apart. I've really gotten into cryptids and mythology recently and I think the psychology behind it is so fascinating. A lot of these horrifying creatures were born from parents making up a story to scare their children from running off in the night, and through word of mouth these stories get passed from generation to generation until they become something much greater and scarier. I think a lot of these stories also come from our desire to explain the unexplainable, like random disappearances or strange happenings in small towns, it's easier to blame it on a made up monster than believe that it might be humanity behind it.
ReplyDeleteUber legends are fascinating to me because I believe they might have some truth behind them just not in a literal way. Urban legends might just be a twist of the truth that meant to keep people safe from something or just a really exaggerated truth. This is why some urban legends can be similar to another urban legend. An example is the old wives tell that if you shave the hair will grow back thicker. This probably came from the hair appearing to grow back thicker.
ReplyDeleteThe psychological motives that help spread urban legends are the fascination we have with them. Many of the stories are shocking and introcate. They also allow us to explain the unexplainable just like the Mayans believed that the God's would grant them water in exchange for a human sacrifice. Back then, rain was a mystery. Now, we can explain it through science and although many urban legends are explainable it's still fun to have theories and make stories
ReplyDeleteUrban legends spread and persist due to a combination of psychological motives, including the need for social connection and belonging, the desire for novelty and excitement, and the instinctual fear of the unknown or the unexplained. These stories often tap into our deepest fears and anxieties, providing a way for individuals to make sense of the world around them and cope with uncertainty. Moreover, urban legends serve as cautionary tales, warning us about potential dangers or moral lessons. They reflect cultural anxieties and societal values by highlighting societal concerns, taboos, and prejudices. For example, urban legends about strangers luring children or dangerous substances hidden in Halloween candy reflect fears about child safety and trust in society. Similarly, legends about haunted places or cursed objects reflect cultural beliefs about death, the afterlife, and superstition. Overall, urban legends offer a fascinating glimpse into the collective psyche of a culture, revealing its hopes, fears, and values.
ReplyDeleteAs a child I always heard different urban legends or folklores. I grew up in a home where we went to church almost everyday. With going to church everyday I always heard sayings that to some are weird but to me it completely normal. Such as, when its raining/ storming we were told to "sit down while the lord is working", "Cover those mirrors it lightning outside." If there was change under the table or chairs and even the bed, we would hear 'Leave those coins where they are, somebody might have put roots on them." To this day I still have no clue what some of the things actually meant or if they were things just meant to scare us and have us sit down.
ReplyDeleteThis topic really interests me. You hear so many stories about crazy looking creatures and different events that have happened. I think most of these have been made up over the years because humans love the unknown and the mystery and fear that it creates. It is strange when multiple people describe the same event or the same creature, making you think if it could be true or not. I do feel like urban legends can cause social anxieties because it invokes fear in everyone that lives in that area. Some people dedicate their lives to finding the truth about some of these stories or creatures.
ReplyDeleteRobert: Urban legends spread because they tap into fear, curiosity, and the need to make sense of the unknown. For me, they’ve always felt like cautionary tales that stick in your mind. They often reflect deeper cultural anxieties—like fears about technology, strangers, or moral decline—and reveal what a society values or worries about most.
ReplyDelete