Why do some people hate spoilers and others can't live without them?

Some people cover their ears in horror when they hear a discussion of the finale of their favourite TV series, while others, on the contrary, flip through the book straight to the last page without even starting to read. Researchers explain why attitudes to spoilers vary so much.

The material was prepared according to The Conversation.

The concept of "spoiler" tightly entered our lives with the boom of streaming platforms and social networks. Scientists define a spoiler as "unwanted information about how the plot of a work ends," says study author Anjum Navid of the University of Central Queensland.

The anxiety associated with spoilers was historically reinforced by Alfred Hitchcock: before the premiere of the film "Psycho", the audience was asked not to disclose details of the plot in order to maintain the intrigue.

Similar methods are used today: the creators of the film "Avengers: The Final Destination" filmed several versions of the finale and used fake scripts to avoid plot leaks. And actor Andrew Garfield even lied about his return in Spider-Man: No Way Home for the sake of surprise effect in the audience.

But are spoilers really that harmful? Psychologists disagree.

A 2014 study found that viewers who didn't know the ending experienced more vivid emotions and enjoyment from watching. Researchers attributed this to the fact that the unknown makes a person actively engage with the story.

However, a more recent 2016 study found that spoilers didn't spoil the experience that much. "Viewers who knew the ending in advance still enjoyed the story," the study said. This is because people become immersed in the story and connect emotionally with the characters, even knowing how it will end.

American psychologist Dolph Zillman explains it as follows: "Suspense and pleasure are closely intertwined. As long as a person does not know how everything will end, he feels tension. The real pleasure comes after the uncertainty disappears and the story has a satisfying conclusion."

Paradoxically, some people deliberately seek out spoilers. Researchers have found that this reduces anxiety and allows them to delve deeper into the story. For example, fans of the TV series Lost who learnt the content of new episodes in advance were less stressed and had more fun watching.

"Spoilers help relieve psychological pressure, allowing viewers to fully concentrate on the story," the study authors said.

The researchers note that people who avoid spoilers tend to manage their emotions. "They want to feel fully emotionally engaged and maintain the surprise effect," explains Anjum Navid. This is why spoilers are often perceived as a personal insult or even a moral offence, as they take away one's own control over the experience of the story.

Those who seek out spoilers, however, want to control their emotions in a different way. Psychologists call it a "strategy of insensitivity": by finding out the ending in advance, a person protects himself from unpleasant surprises and emotional shocks.

Study author Anjum Navid also shares a personal experience:

"I once escaped from a train carriage after hearing a discussion about the finale of the latest Harry Potter book. But later, finding myself in a similar situation with the Severance series, I decided to stay and listen. It turned out that the spoilers helped me get more closely into the details of the plot."

Thus, the perception of spoilers depends on a person's desire to manage emotions and information. Some prefer vivid emotions and surprises, while others prefer a known ending in advance, which helps to reduce anxiety and focus on the details of the plot.

"Of course, it's great to know how it's going to end. But, in the end, it's the journey to the finale that's more important," the researcher concludes.