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Some people love to scare themselves in an already scary world − here’s the psychology of why

Experiencing controlled fear can enhance social bonds, increase resilience, and offer psychological benefits, making horror entertainment a healthy distraction from scary real-life terrors.

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A controlled scary experience can leave you exhilarated and relaxed afterward. gremlin/E+ via Getty Images

Sarah Kollat, Penn State

Fall for me as a teenager meant football games, homecoming dresses – and haunted houses. My friends organized group trips to the local fairground, where barn sheds were turned into halls of horror, and masked men nipped at our ankles with (chainless) chain saws as we waited in line, anticipating deeper frights to come once we were inside.

I’m not the only one who loves a good scare. Halloween attractions company America Haunts estimates Americans are spending upward of US$500 million annually on haunted house entrance fees simply for the privilege of being frightened. And lots of fright fans don’t limit their horror entertainment to spooky season, gorging horror movies, shows and books all year long.

To some people, this preoccupation with horror can seem tone deaf. School shootings, child abuse, war – the list of real-life horrors is endless. Why seek manufactured fear for entertainment when the world offers real terror in such large quantities?

As a developmental psychologist who writes dark thrillers on the side, I find the intersection of psychology and fear intriguing. To explain what drives this fascination with fear, I point to the theory that emotions evolved as a universal experience in humans because they help us survive. Creating fear in otherwise safe lives can be enjoyable – and is a way for people to practice and prepare for real-life dangers.

Fear can feel good

Controlled fear experiences – where you can click your remote, close the book, or walk out of the haunted house whenever you want – offer the physiological high that fear triggers, without any real risk.

When you perceive yourself under threat, adrenaline surges in your body and the evolutionary fight-or-flight response is activated. Your heart rate increases, you breathe deeper and faster, and your blood pressure goes up. Your body is preparing to defend itself against the danger or get away as fast as possible.

This physical reaction is crucial when facing a real threat. When experiencing controlled fear – like jump scares in a zombie TV show – you get to enjoy this energized sensation, similar to a runner’s high, without any risks. And then, once the threat is dealt with, your body releases the neurotransmitter dopamine, which provides sensations of pleasure and relief.

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In one study, researchers found that people who visited a high-intensity haunted house as a controlled fear experience displayed less brain activity in response to stimuli and less anxiety post-exposure. This finding suggests that exposing yourself to horror films, scary stories or suspenseful video games can actually calm you afterward. The effect might also explain why my husband and I choose to relax by watching zombie shows after a busy day at work.

four teens gleefully clutching each other behind bars in front of red splattered wall
Going through something frightening together – like a haunted house attraction – can be a bonding experience. AP Photo/John Locher

The ties that bind

An essential motivation for human beings is the sense of belonging to a social group. According to the surgeon general, Americans who miss those connections are caught up in an epidemic of loneliness, which leaves people at risk for mental and physical health issues.

Going through intense fear experiences together strengthens the bonds between individuals. Good examples include veterans who served together in combat, survivors of natural disasters, and the “families” created in groups of first responders.

I’m a volunteer firefighter, and the unique connection created through sharing intense threats, such as entering a burning building together, manifests in deep emotional bonds with my colleagues. After a significant fire call, we often note the improved morale and camaraderie of the firehouse. I feel a flood of positive emotions anytime I think of my firefighting partners, even when the events occurred months or years ago.

Controlled fear experiences artificially create similar opportunities for bonding. Exposure to stress triggers not only the fight-or-flight response, but in many situations it also initiates what psychologists call the “tend-and-befriend” system. A perceived threat prompts humans to tend to offspring and create social-emotional bonds for protection and comfort. This system is largely regulated by the so-called “love hormone” oxytocin.

The tend-and-befriend reaction is particularly likely when you experience stress around others with whom you have already established positive social connections. When you encounter stressors within your social network, your oxytocin levels rise to initiate social coping strategies. As a result, when you navigate a recreational fear experience like a haunted house with friends, you are setting the emotional stage to feel bonded with the people beside you.

Sitting in the dark with friends while you watch a scary movie or navigating a haunted corn maze with a date is good for your health, in that it helps you strengthen those social connections.

man and girl lean together in movie theater
Consuming lots of horror as entertainment may make some people more resilient in real life. Edwin Tan/E+ via Getty Images

An ounce of prevention = a pound of cure

Controlled fear experiences can also be a way for you to prepare for the worst. Think of the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, when the films “Contagion” and “Outbreaktrended on streaming platforms as people around the world sheltered at home. By watching threat scenarios play out in controlled ways through media, you can learn about your fears and emotionally prepare for future threats.

For example, researchers at Aarhus University’s Recreational Fear Lab in Denmark demonstrated in one study that people who regularly consumed horror media were more psychologically resilient during the COVID-19 pandemic than nonhorror fans. The scientists suggest that this resilience might be a result of a kind of training these fans went through – they practiced coping with the fear and anxiety provoked by their preferred form of entertainment. As a result, they were better prepared to manage the real fear triggered by the pandemic.

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When I’m not teaching, I’m an avid reader of crime fiction. I also write psychological thrillers under the pen name Sarah K. Stephens. As both a reader and writer, I notice similar themes in the books I am drawn to, all of which tie into my own deep-rooted fears: mothers who fail their children somehow, women manipulated into subservience, lots of misogynist antagonists.

I enjoy writing and reading about my fears – and seeing the bad guys get their just desserts in the end – because it offers a way for me to control the story. Consuming these narratives lets me mentally rehearse how I would handle these kinds of circumstances if any were to manifest in my real life.

Survive and thrive

In the case of controlled fear experiences, scaring yourself is a pivotal technique to help you survive and adapt in a frightening world. By eliciting powerful, positive emotions, strengthening social networks and preparing you for your worst fears, you’re better able to embrace each day to its fullest.

So the next time you’re choosing between an upbeat comedy and a creepy thriller for your movie night, pick the dark side – it’s good for your health.

Sarah Kollat, Teaching Professor of Psychology, Penn State

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

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Our Lifestyle section on STM Daily News is a hub of inspiration and practical information, offering a range of articles that touch on various aspects of daily life. From tips on family finances to guides for maintaining health and wellness, we strive to empower our readers with knowledge and resources to enhance their lifestyles. Whether you’re seeking outdoor activity ideas, fashion trends, or travel recommendations, our lifestyle section has got you covered. Visit us today at https://stmdailynews.com/category/lifestyle/ and embark on a journey of discovery and self-improvement.


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REVOLVE AND MUUS COLLECTIVE LAUNCH MOBILE FASHION GAME, BELLEMINT IN THE U.S.

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BELLEMINT IS A NEXT-GEN, MOBILE FASHION STYLING GAME THAT MERGES VIRTUAL AND REAL-WORLD SHOPPING

LOS ANGELES /PRNewswire/ — Revolve Group (RVLV), the next-generation fashion retailer for Millennial and Generation Z consumers, through its partnership with Muus Collective, Inc. and Griffin Gaming Partners, has launched mobile fashion game BELLEMINT in the U.S. This advanced fashion styling game integrates the renowned brand portfolios of REVOLVE and FWRD into an immersive shopping experience. As BELLEMINT‘s exclusive retail partner, REVOLVE is expanding its digital presence, offering a distinctive blend of virtual and real-world fashion, designed to deepen customer engagement and expand its reach to new audiences.

REVOLVE
REVOLVE AND MUUS COLLECTIVE LAUNCH MOBILE FASHION GAME, BELLEMINT IN THE U.S.

In BELLEMINT, players (known as Stylists) explore REVOLVE‘s latest collections from popular brands, including A.L.C.Andrea IyamahBronx and BancoHemant and NanditaMaria Lucia Hohan, Rococo Sand, and others in an interactive digital format, providing an innovative channel for style inspiration and direct purchasing. Stylists tap into self-expression by creating looks, customizing digital avatars (Muses) with inclusive options for size, skin tone, and hair texture, and participating in daily styling challenges. They can connect with other stylists through voting on their looks and can follow and friend others who inspire them. As players earn their first promotion to a new stylist level in BELLEMINT, they unlock a limited-time 20% discount to shop on REVOLVE, seamlessly connecting virtual achievements with real-world rewards. This promotion-based reward system encourages players to continue refining their styling skills while engaging with REVOLVE and FWRD collections. Future updates will further integrate loyalty benefits, offering even more real-world incentives through gameplay.

What differentiates BELLEMINT is its seamless integration with the REVOLVE e-commerce platform, merging the virtual world with the real world to offer customers an aspirational, engaging, and personalized shopping experience. By tapping into the gaming world through a sophisticated and stylized platform, BELLEMINT supports REVOLVE‘s commitment to providing exclusive, interactive experiences that foster customer loyalty and drive innovation in retail.

BELLEMINT offers an immersive and aspirational shopping journey that seamlessly merges virtual fashion with real-world trends,” said Sarah Fuchs, Co-Founder, Co-CEO, and Chair of Muus Collective. “Our initial regional launches in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand revealed a highly engaged audience that embraces self-expression and spends an average of 30 minutes a day styling, discovering, and shopping. With even more exciting features coming soon, we’re thrilled to introduce this experience to the U.S. audience—REVOLVE‘s primary market—and can’t wait to see how they unlock and embrace their perfect digital and IRL wardrobes.”

“The launch of BELLEMINT marks a strategic advancement in retail, merging immersive digital engagement with real-world shopping incentives. At REVOLVE, we’re committed to pushing boundaries, and this partnership with Muus Collective enables us to reach new audiences and strengthen customer engagement and loyalty through innovative experiences. By blending virtual and physical shopping, we’re elevating our brand presence with the potential to drive measurable growth for REVOLVE and FWRD. – Michael Mente, Co-Founder and Co-CEO, REVOLVE Group Inc.

REVOLVE and Muus designed BELLEMINT to be a digital runway for players to discover and shop curated fashion — and for brand partners to market their products to a tailored audience,” said Emily Wang, Partner and COO at Griffin Gaming Partners. “The game serves as a new medium for brands to boost product discovery and brand loyalty organically, with players repeatedly engaging with digital clothing and accessories to win outfit styling challenges. Players enter and vote on challenges as a creative form of self-expression, all the while delighting in fashion inspiration and adding real-world outfits to their cart from their favorite in-game stylists and the game’s user-generated social feed.”  

BELLEMINT is a gamified platform where creativity meets the fashion and beauty our players love, offering a unique experience they won’t find anywhere else,” said Amber Bezahler, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Muus Collective. “We are proud to provide an inclusive experience with an unparalleled range of skin tones, hair textures, and body sizes—seamlessly aligned with REVOLVE‘s ethos. Together, we’re setting a new standard for diversity and representation in fashion gaming.”

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To learn more, visit https://bellemint.com/, watch the trailer on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qk3n4_YShqc and download the game on iOS and Android – https://bellemint.sng.link/Dp7nc/vfvd/f5t4. Media library can be found here.

Media Contact:
REVOLVE@walkerdrawas.com

Media Contact for Muus Collective, Inc.
amanda@muuscollective.com

About Revolve Group, Inc.

Revolve Group, Inc. (RVLV) is the next-generation fashion retailer for Millennial and Generation Z consumers. As a trusted premium lifestyle brand and a go-to online source for discovery and inspiration, we deliver an engaging customer experience from a vast, yet curated, offering of apparel, footwear, accessories, and beauty styles. Our dynamic platform connects a deeply engaged community of millions of consumers, thousands of global fashion influencers, and more than 1,000 emerging, established, and owned brands.

We were founded in 2003 by our co-CEOs, Michael Mente and Mike Karanikolas. We sell merchandise through two complementary segments, REVOLVE and FWRD, that leverage one platform. Through REVOLVE, we offer an assortment of premium apparel, footwear, accessories, and beauty products from emerging, established, and owned brands. Through FWRD, we offer a highly curated assortment of iconic and emerging luxury brands. For more information, visit www.revolve.com.

About Muus Collective, Inc.

Muus Collective is an entertainment studio building community-driven, fashion-forward experiences across mobile games and e-commerce. The studio’s debut mobile fashion game, BELLEMINT, empowers players to discover inspiration, style unique looks, and share their creativity. BELLEMINT is now available for download on the App Store and Google Play. Follow the Collective at http://www.muuscollective.com.

About Griffin Gaming Partners

Griffin Gaming Partners (“GGP”) is a leading venture capital firm, focused on the global gaming market, with over $1.3 billion in assets under management. GGP invests in seed through growth stages at the intersection of content, infrastructure, social platforms, and game-related companies.

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SOURCE Revolve Group, Inc.

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Is There an E. Coli Outbreak at McDonald’s? What You Need to Know

McDonald’s faces an E. coli outbreak linked to Quarter Pounders, with 75 cases reported. The company is investigating potential onion contamination and prioritizing customer safety.

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E. coli outbreak


In the fast-paced world of fast food, health and safety are paramount. Recently, McDonald’s has been at the center of an alarming E. coli outbreak linked to their popular Quarter Pounders. With at least 75 reported cases across 13 states, including serious hospitalization and even a death, many consumers are understandably concerned. Let’s break down the situation, what officials are saying, and how McDonald’s is responding to the crisis.

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🚨 E. coli outbreak linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounders! Stay safe & report any symptoms. Food safety is a top priority. 🍔 FoodSafety #ecolioutbreak2024 https://stmdailynews.com ♬ original sound – STMDailyNews – STMDailyNews

The Details of the Outbreak

Reports have confirmed that this E. coli outbreak is associated with Quarter Pounders sold across various McDonald’s locations. As of now, Colorado and Montana have recorded the highest number of illnesses, causing health officials to raise the alarm. The symptoms of E. coli infection can be severe and include stomach cramps, diarrhea, and vomiting, which can lead to life-threatening complications, especially in vulnerable populations.

Possible Cause: Onions?

Amidst this distressing news, McDonald’s has identified a potential link to onions used in their Quarter Pounder recipe. While investigations are ongoing, the company is taking proactive measures by gradually reintroducing the Quarter Pounder to their menu without the traditional onions. This decision reflects their commitment to ensuring customer safety while addressing supply issues that may have arisen from the outbreak.

McDonald’s Response

In light of the ongoing investigation, McDonald’s has expressed its dedication to maintaining high food safety standards. They have collaborated closely with health officials, including the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), to trace the source of the contamination and prevent further incidents.

As they navigate this situation, the fast-food giant is emphasizing transparency with their customers. They have urged people to stay informed through official communication channels and monitor updates about the progress of the outbreak and safety measures being undertaken.

Consumer Safety: What Can You Do?

As the situation unfolds, it is essential for consumers to remain vigilant about their food choices:

  1. Stay Updated: Follow news reports and health advisories to keep track of the latest developments regarding this outbreak and any additional safety alerts.
  2. Practice Good Hygiene: Always wash your hands before eating, and keep an eye on cleanliness when dining out.
  3. Consider Menu Options: If you’re concerned about the outbreak, consider ordering items that do not contain ingredients linked to health risks or opt for menu items that have been specifically noted as safe.
  4. Know the Symptoms: Familiarize yourself with the signs of E. coli infection, and if you or someone you know experiences severe symptoms following a visit to McDonald’s, seek medical attention immediately.

The recent E. coli outbreak tied to McDonald’s Quarter Pounders has undoubtedly raised concerns among consumers, but the company is actively working to address the situation and safeguard the health of its patrons. While it’s human nature to worry about food safety, especially with such a concerning issue at hand, it’s also important to empower ourselves with knowledge and the right precautions.

As McDonald’s rolls out their menu changes, we hope that they can swiftly resolve this situation, ensuring that everyone can enjoy their meals with renewed confidence. Let’s all take a moment to prioritize food safety in our daily dining habits, and keep the conversation going around this crucial topic. Always stay informed, stay safe, and enjoy your meals wisely!

Read the release from McDonald’s corporate news site https://corporate.mcdonalds.com/corpmcd/our-stories/article/always-putting-food-safety-first.html

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Visit our Food & Drink section to get the latest on Foodie News and recipes, offering a delightful blend of culinary inspiration and gastronomic trends to elevate your dining experience.

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For the Birds: Feed ’em in Fall to Welcome Them Back in Winter

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(Joan Casanova) Humans aren’t the only ones who look forward to autumn harvest. Fall brings a bounty of natural foods for our feathered friends, too. But while they’re feasting on fall’s cornucopia of delicacies, birds are also planning ahead, taking note of yards with bird feeders that can help them weather winter’s cold.

Feeding the Birds

Many of birds’ favorite foods are actually more abundant in fall. Summer weeds ripen with seeds by October. Many berries only begin to emerge in late summer or early winter, and insects are plentiful. You may think there’s no need to feed birds during the fall, but if you want them to find your home in winter, start feeding in autumn.

The birds who visit feeders in fall are scouting, becoming familiar with feeding stations and making decisions on which backyards they’ll visit this winter. The feed you put out in fall lets birds know they’ll be welcomed and fed in your backyard when seriously cold weather arrives – and they no longer have the luxury of exploring for food.

Winter weather is hard on birds. Their calorie requirements increase, food becomes hard to find, snow covers up seeds and ice storms seal away tree buds and wild fruits. Tiny birds must eat one-third to three-quarters of their weight each day. When temperatures dip below zero, easy meals at a feeder can mean the difference between life and death.

An important rule of fall and winter feeding is to be prepared. By stocking up now on premium bird seeds and feed, bird lovers can help secure a wholesome food source without having to brave stormy weather.

It’s important to stock your feeders with high-quality foods that provide birds with the most fat, nutrients and energy. Look for a feed like Cole’s that packs nutrition, preserves freshness and gives you the most feed for your dollar. For example, Cole’s Wild Bird Products’ Oil Sunflower is more than 99% pure and cleaned four times to ensure there are more seeds and fewer sticks in each bag. Feed is also nitrogen-purge packaged, just like potato chips, to ensure freshness and insect-free feed.

In addition to seed, serve up some suet either in the form of Suet cakes for non-seed eating birds or suet mixed with seed. Consider Cole’s Nutberry Suet, which is a seed blend mix of premium fruits, preferred nuts, nutritious insect suet kibbles and whole-kernel sunflower meats that appeals to fruit and insect-loving songbirds. Or try Suet Kibbles, bursting with berry flavor and loaded with energy for increased stamina. These feed choices provide fat and a high-protein energy source to assist wild birds in weathering winter and may actually boost their chance of survival.

Just as birds need food year-round, they also look for water. This can be tricky in regions where water spends the winter as ice, but bird lovers can still help in a few ways. Experts suggest leaving icicles on the eaves to provide a regular source of water for birds that drink drops as the icicles melt. Birds are drawn to running water sounds, so spritzers or small fountains are beneficial. In the winter, try using quality bird bath heaters to keep water from freezing, plus they’re more convenient than setting out water every day.

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Don’t worry about the birds if you must leave home for a while in winter. Birds are familiar with food sources disappearing. It might take them a while to rediscover your feeders when you return, but they’ll be back, grateful for your assistance.

For more ideas to help birds eat well through winter, and to learn about more feed choices, visit coleswildbird.com.

Photos courtesy of Cole’s Wild Bird Products


SOURCE:
Cole’s Wild Bird Products

Our Lifestyle section on STM Daily News is a hub of inspiration and practical information, offering a range of articles that touch on various aspects of daily life. From tips on family finances to guides for maintaining health and wellness, we strive to empower our readers with knowledge and resources to enhance their lifestyles. Whether you’re seeking outdoor activity ideas, fashion trends, or travel recommendations, our lifestyle section has got you covered. Visit us today at https://stmdailynews.com/category/lifestyle/ and embark on a journey of discovery and self-improvement.


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