Which theory best explains why there is a tendency for horror films to become increasingly gruesome and violent over the life of a franchise?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Desensitization theory suggests that repeated exposure to violent or gruesome stimuli can lead to a weakened emotional response or numbing effect. As a horror film franchise continues, filmmakers may feel pressure to up the ante and shock audiences in new and more extreme ways, leading to an increase in violence and gore. This is partially due to the fact that audiences may become desensitized to the violence they've seen in previous films and may expect even more in subsequent installments.

Which Theory Best Explains Why There Is a Tendency for Horror