A haunted house study set out to figure out whether there was a correlation between the number of friends in a group and the body’s overall physical response to stress and fear.
‘Scary play’ can act as a threat simulation which allows us to play around with our response to frightening situations.
Can horror help improve our mental health? And why are horror movies looked down upon by movie critics?
Why do people seek out frightening leisure activities such as horror films and haunted attractions, and does the experience benefit them in any way?
From Resident Evil to Dead Space, for many of us there's nothing we like more than an absolutely terrifying horror game. But have you ever wondered why so many of us enjoy the feeling of fear?
What research on “recreational fear” — the fun of being scared — can teach us about learning in the college classroom.
The thrill of a frightening film can feel euphoric – and mild horror, say researchers, can also help foster lasting psychological resilience.
A peek inside Denmark’s Recreational Fear Lab to figure out why our brains crave a good scare.
From peek-a-boo to Halloween haunted houses, research shows that recreational fear can teach us to face scary situations.
Scary movies, books and podcasts can help people think through how they would respond to threats and prepare them for worst-case scenarios, say experts who study the psychology of fear.
A leading researcher of “recreational fear”, or chasing fear for fun, gives us his top picks.
Frightening yourself for fun can help you bond with others, soothe stress and maybe even become more resilient.
The science behind thrill-seeking behavior and why millions of people delight in the fright of the horror movie genre.
Social scientists, using haunted houses to understand our experiences of fear, have learned that friends make things very scary
