September 28, 2004

Purdue communication prof: Few really 'enjoy' a good scare

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – People who say they enjoy being scared probably don't like fear as much as they say they do, says a Purdue University mass media effects expert.

"A number of people say they really enjoy watching what others would call horrific, frightening movies, but it's "probably not the fear" that they really enjoy," says Glenn Sparks, professor of communication. "If the images truly scare them, what they are really enjoying is some of the other aspects of the experience that override the 'feeling' of fear.

"Fear is a negative emotion, and when people experience fear they are experiencing a direct threat to their sense of well-being. By definition, that is not pleasant."

Fear can stimulate intense physical reactions – heart beating faster and elevated blood pressure – that create feelings similar to an adrenaline rush, Sparks says. "Some people enjoy that adrenaline surge.

"When riding a roller coaster, the rush continues after the ride is over, and it tends to intensify the positive feelings of relief," he said. "People then remember the lingering positive feeling even though they may have felt very unpleasant during the ride.

"The same thing can happen after a scary movie. Feelings of relief at the movie's end might be experienced as euphoria because of the adrenaline rush left over from being scared. But the actual experience of fear during the movie was quite unpleasant.

Some movie-watchers who truly are scared, yet still enjoy scary movies, may be enjoying the experience of conquering a challenge, Sparks said. Particularly for males, this 'conquering' can be thrilling and quite satisfying.

If the fear is so intense that it overwhelms these "positive effects," then people really don't end up saying that they enjoy scary films, Sparks said. "But if the positive factors are strong enough, they can outweigh the negative feeling that fear usually brings."

Sparks also has studied the effects of frightening films on children.

CONTACT: Sparks, (765) 494-3316, gsparks@purdue.edu

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