Why do we like the feeling of fear?

The reason why many people like the feeling of fear is a very complex question, and the answer is equally complicated.

Tragic accidents. A destabilizing political and economic future. Nuclear war. Spider! In the menu of "what is considered scary today" , there are many things to choose from. That brings us to the question: Why do people want more? Why do people even pay to "be afraid" , while our daily lives already have so many scary things?

But that's exactly how many people out there are doing. They look for horror movies, scary books and haunted houses. They pay to "consume" fear. And selling fear is an increasingly profitable business.

For example, what is the number of horror films released in 1996? - Only a small number 7. In 2017 what? - 62 horror movies! And it includes Stephen King's not-so-happy-little-movie "It", which has sold more than 36 million tickets to date and grossed more than $ 320.8 million. 24 other top horror movies of 2017 sold 100 million tickets, and grossed over $ 600 million.

The fear that comes from horror movies is something special.

But this is not something new. Since 1960, horror films have earned more than 13 billion USD (equivalent to 24 billion USD after adjusting for inflation until 2017). It was a silver (many) billion deal.

And the haunted building industry - yes, we can call it an industry today - is also taking advantage of people's thirst for fear. It earned over $ 300 million in 2013. Amusement park, another place to "enjoy" the feeling of heartbeat, serves 375 million people every year in North America alone.

However, fears stemming from horror movies, thrilling rides and even haunted houses are something special - a different kind of fear from when we feel Robbed, shot or pursued in reality. And that's the answer to the question, why do we enjoy being intimidated? Because we know this scare is not true.

Anxiety and fear

First, we need to know that there are many words (English) that are used to describe fear (and related concepts). Many people study it. Many people give opinions. We will be divided into two simple categories: Anxiety - Anxiety and Fear - Fear.

Anxiety is what keeps us awake every night. It often has a similar experience of fear. Concerned. Worry. Insecurity. Those are words that express a feeling, and this feeling comes when we focus our mind on something that may happen in the future but has not yet happened: nuclear war, terrorist attack, injury. the death or death of loved ones, broken marriage, or more gently . wake up tomorrow morning without money for breakfast. All of these things, when you think about them, will bring anxiety.

Haunted house.

Fear - can be called fear, terror, fear . - is a much simpler thing. It comes from what is present right in front of us, right now - an immediate threat to our safety. This may be a killer wearing a mask who sneaks into your home, a ferocious dog runs straight at you, or the moment when a spider falls on your shoulder. It causes significant biological changes, almost instantly, the "fight or run" response (Fight-or-flight) is immediately activated (we'll talk about it later).

But furthermore, to understand why a person wants to experience fear, we also need to admit that it contains additional effects, which bring about symptoms similar to fear but often results exciting.

The joy behind fear

Margee Kerr is a fear research sociologist and author of the book "Scream!" She and her colleague, Greg Siegle, Ph.D., and director of cognitive neurology program at the University of Pittsburgh, have published an academic description of this phenomenon as "voluntary involvement with pepper stimuli." extreme level ".

In other words, when "going to see a scary movie or experiencing a haunted house" , you allow yourself to feel the biological feeling of fear. The overall experience of fear can lead to a deeper meaning in our lives. In some cases, it may even provide some therapeutic value for people with anxiety.

Kerr said, "The fearful experience of fun can give us a feeling that we are proficient in fear, so then we will feel happy. It is an opportunity to experience the feeling. everything is under our control. "

The overall experience of fear can lead to a deeper meaning in our lives.

So, how is our experience built?

1. Step 1: We decide to experience a scary activity. This step, perhaps most importantly, will shape our entire experience. Foreseeing the face of something frightening, we realize that we are controlling everything. We also recognize the inherent safety in this - that if we enter a "haunted" house, no devil will jump out and kill us, will we?
2. Step 2: There's something startling. For example: Two twin girls ask us to play with them forever and forever (The Shining); The police told a babysitter that the killer's calls came from inside the house (Original When A Stranger Calls).
3. Step 3: We experience "fighting or running": Our brain receives stimuli that the body is in danger, our sympathetic nervous system will launch "gears" in the body . (This is a reflex that allows our ancestors to consciously stay away from aggressive lions.) Our bodies are continuously pumped with adrenaline, dopamine, oxytocin, endorphins and more. Our heart rate, blood pressure and breathing frequency increase. We sweat, get goosebumps. In some cases, we involuntarily shout, jump and / or run. Don't worry, it's all natural.

"This is the springboard for systems to operate , " Kerr said.

But, in a safe environment, where we choose to experience, it is important to note that it will be much different from the real danger. And that's what makes us feel interesting.

"Even the decision to scare people is also the protection we create for ourselves , " Kerr said. "In our minds, we are open to participating in this experience and stifling our skepticism. Our actions at the time were to match that context. The screams meant being happy. It looks and nothing is feared. "

And this leads to .

1. Step 4: We experience satisfaction, at the biological level . Our sympathetic nervous system corrects itself, and it makes everything normal: heart rate, breathing, blood pressure, sweating and the need to run away disappear.

"This may feel very relaxing," Kerr said . "It is a period of rest and digestion. We are safe. We can slowly enjoy the satisfaction and peace of mind that fear has stayed behind."

1. Step 5: Benefits : We share experiences and build relationships. These experiences will often connect us with friends and family. We join them. We are building strong bonds and a strong bond. It is a pleasure itself. Our memories are built from there.

So why do we choose to experience certain scary things?

Yes, fear brings about biological changes and it feels "happy" , but it's also a way to make our lives more meaningful. To create memories.

The fear experience gives you a mental stop.

Kerr also notes that a popular treatment for people who are often anxious is to do something to experience a fear (but safe) to activate their sympathetic nervous system.

It was a very good physical feeling. It gives you a mental stop. You become more sensitive to your body, you are completely distracted by something in your environment. And finally, you realize that you've survived something. You pose a challenge, and you pass. It will make you more confident.

It is very close, what are you waiting for, not to invite your close friend or family member to see a horror movie or haunted house?