Screams in Silence: The Sound of Fear in Bernard Herrmann's Psycho Score– A Media Psychological Study

Suspense is central to cinematic storytelling, shaping how audiences perceive, anticipate, and emotionally respond to narrative events. Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho (1960) exemplifies this mastery, in large part through the chilling score of Bernard Herrmann. This study investigates how Herrmann’s music generates tension, fear, and psychological engagement by analyzing key sequences such as the infamous shower scene, parlor and hallway sequences, and moments of deliberate silence. Through qualitative scene analysis, the research examines the interplay between musical elements—including staccato strings, dissonant harmonies, and rhythmic pacing—and Hitchcock’s visual techniques, such as framing, camera movement, and editing rhythm.The findings demonstrate that Herrmann’s score functions not merely as accompaniment but as an active mechanism for directing attention, sustaining suspense, and eliciting cognitive and emotional responses. The alignment of auditory and visual elements creates a multi-sensory experience that intensifies narrative tension and manipulates audience expectation. By situating this analysis within media psychology and film theory, the study provides insight into how music can shape perception, heighten emotional arousal, and construct immersive suspense. This research contributes to understanding the mechanics of cinematic fear, offering practical and theoretical implications for scholars, filmmakers, and media creators interested in the design of psychologically compelling audiovisual narratives.