Newswise — A good scare this Halloween, whether it's from a horror film or haunted house, is really not the preferred treat for most people, says a Purdue University mass media effects expert.
"The assumption at this time of year is that everyone seeks a scary experience because they enjoy it," says Glenn Sparks, a professor of communication. "Research shows that not everyone wants to be scared and that a substantial proportion of the population is wary about exposing themselves to this kind of entertainment."
Sparks, who has surveyed hundreds of people on this topic over many years, says that about one-third of the population actively seeks a good scare, another third avoids it and the remainder says it depends.
"The people in this 'depends' group can be lured to participate in these types of experiences when they would really rather not, either because they underestimate the severity of what they're going to face or because they succumb to the cultural norm or peer pressure," Sparks says. "If you are one of those people who would rather not be scared, it might help to realize that there are plenty of people who share your sentiment.
"Take your apprehension seriously. Some people may have not been able to cope well with previous scares. Being spooked can result in unwanted and obtrusive images that can leave someone shaken and can even disrupt important activities such as getting a good night's sleep."
Being scared can even change people's daily behavior by making them afraid of a room in their house, Sparks says. For example, many people report they are afraid to take a shower after watching Alfred Hitchcock's "Psycho," which features a legendary murder scene in the shower.
Most people who say they like to be scared probably don't realize that it isn't the fear they enjoy. Sparks says there are at least four reasons why people say they enjoy being scared:
* People really don't enjoy being scared, but they enjoy the after-effects - the relief that they made it through or the sense that they conquered the experience. This feeling is often enhanced because physiological arousal from the fear can intensify any positive feelings that might follow the experience.
* Adolescent males in particular may experience a sense of mastery. "Cultures have socialized males and females differently, and many males find this experience stimulating," Sparks says. "We don't have tribal initiations anymore, but the process is similar."
* The novelty that the horror film or haunted house is appealing because it provides a visual that you cannot see elsewhere.
* It's an adrenaline rush for some. While most people don't enjoy the feeling of intense physiological arousal, some do.
Sparks also cautions that parents should be aware of what their children are watching or are exposed to because they typically lack the sophisticated emotional coping skills that are required to deal with some of the gruesome images that are readily available this time of year.
Related Web site:
Purdue College of Liberal Arts: http://www.cla.purdue.edu/academic/
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