As Halloween approaches, haunted houses, horror movies and jump scares are taking centre stage, but why do so many people enjoy being scared? In this edition of Weekend One on One, Clemson University psychology researcher Cynthia Pury explains why fear can feel fun, and why some people seek it out more than others.
Why do haunted houses, horror movies and jump scares appeal to so many people? A psychology researcher explores the science behind enjoying fear, the role of feeling safe, why some people crave adrenaline, and what separates thrill-seekers from those who avoid scary experiences.
In this episode:
- Why fear can be enjoyable when people know they're safe.
- The surprising connection between jump scares, humour and the childhood game peekaboo.
- How anxiety sensitivity influences whether someone enjoys scary movies and haunted attractions.
- Why some horror fans seek out spoilers before watching frightening stories.
- What real-life fear, thrill-seeking and exposure therapy can reveal about our relationship with being scared.