Why is being scared so fun? - Margee Kerr
-
0:07 - 0:11Somewhere right now,
people are lining up to scare themselves, -
0:11 - 0:14maybe with a thrill ride or horror movie.
-
0:14 - 0:17In fact, in October of 2015 alone,
-
0:17 - 0:23about 28 million people visited
a haunted house in the U.S. -
0:23 - 0:26But many consider
this behavior perplexing, -
0:26 - 0:27asking the question,
-
0:27 - 0:31"What could possibly be fun
about being scared?" -
0:31 - 0:35Fear has a bad rap, but it's not all bad.
-
0:35 - 0:38For starters,
fear can actually feel pretty good. -
0:38 - 0:41When a threat triggers
our fight or flight response, -
0:41 - 0:43our bodies prepare for danger
-
0:43 - 0:48by releasing chemicals that change
how our brains and bodies function. -
0:48 - 0:53This automatic response jumpstarts
systems that can aid in survival. -
0:53 - 0:56They do this by making sure
we have enough energy -
0:56 - 0:58and are protected from feeling pain,
-
0:58 - 1:03while shutting down nonessential systems,
like critical thought. -
1:03 - 1:05Feeling pain-free and energized,
-
1:05 - 1:09while not getting caught up in worrisome
thoughts that normally occupy our brains, -
1:09 - 1:11that all sounds great,
-
1:11 - 1:15and it can be because this response
is similar, though not exactly the same -
1:15 - 1:20to what we experience in positive,
high-arousal states, -
1:20 - 1:24like excitement, happiness,
and even during sex. -
1:24 - 1:27The difference lays in the context.
-
1:27 - 1:31If we're in real danger, we're focused
on survival, not fun. -
1:31 - 1:35But when we trigger this high arousal
response in a safe place, -
1:35 - 1:40we can switch over to enjoying
the natural high of being scared. -
1:40 - 1:46It's why people on roller coasters can go
from screaming to laughing within moments. -
1:46 - 1:49Your body is already in a euphoric state.
-
1:49 - 1:52You're just relabeling the experience.
-
1:52 - 1:54And though the threat response
is universal, -
1:54 - 1:57research shows differences
between individuals -
1:57 - 2:01in how the chemicals associated
with the threat response work. -
2:01 - 2:07This explains why some are more prone
to thrill-seeking than others. -
2:07 - 2:09Other normal physical differences explain
-
2:09 - 2:13why some may love the dizziness
associated with a loop-de-loop, -
2:13 - 2:17while loathing the stomach-drop sensation
of a steep roller coaster, -
2:17 - 2:20or why some squeal with delight
inside a haunted house, -
2:20 - 2:25but retreat in terror
if taken to an actual cemetery. -
2:25 - 2:28Fear brings more
than just a fun, natural high. -
2:28 - 2:33Doing things that we're afraid of
can give us a nice boost of self-esteem. -
2:33 - 2:34Like any personal challenge,
-
2:34 - 2:37whether it's running a race
or finishing a long book, -
2:37 - 2:39when we make it through to the end,
-
2:39 - 2:42we feel a sense of accomplishment.
-
2:42 - 2:45This is true even if we know
we're not really in any danger. -
2:45 - 2:48Our thinking brains may know
the zombies aren't real, -
2:48 - 2:51but our bodies tell us otherwise.
-
2:51 - 2:52The fear feels real,
-
2:52 - 2:54so when we make it through alive,
-
2:54 - 2:58the satisfaction and sense
of accomplishment also feel real. -
2:58 - 3:01This is a great evolutionary adaptation.
-
3:01 - 3:04Those who had the right balance
of bravery and wit -
3:04 - 3:07to know when to push through the fear
and when to retreat -
3:07 - 3:09were rewarded with survival,
-
3:09 - 3:10new food,
-
3:10 - 3:12and new lands.
-
3:12 - 3:15Finally, fear can bring people together.
-
3:15 - 3:17Emotions can be contagious,
-
3:17 - 3:20and when you see your friend
scream and laugh, -
3:20 - 3:22you feel compelled to do the same.
-
3:22 - 3:25This is because we make sense of what
our friends are experiencing -
3:25 - 3:29by recreating the experience ourselves.
-
3:29 - 3:32In fact, the parts of the brain
that are active when our friend screams -
3:32 - 3:36are active in us when we watch them.
-
3:36 - 3:39This not only intensifies
our own emotional experience, -
3:39 - 3:43but makes us feel closer
to those we're with. -
3:43 - 3:45The feeling of closeness during
times of fear -
3:45 - 3:51is aided by the hormone oxytocin
released during fight or flight. -
3:51 - 3:53Fear is a powerful emotional experience,
-
3:53 - 3:56and anything
that triggers a strong reaction -
3:56 - 4:00is going to be stored in our memory
really well. -
4:00 - 4:02You don't want to forget
what can hurt you. -
4:02 - 4:06So if your memory of watching a horror
film with your friends is positive -
4:06 - 4:08and left you with a sense of satisfaction,
-
4:08 - 4:12then you'll want to do it over
and over again.
- Title:
- Why is being scared so fun? - Margee Kerr
- Description:
-
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/why-do-we-like-to-scare-ourselves-margee-kerr
At this very moment, people are lining up somewhere to scare themselves, be it with a thrill-ride or a horror movie. In fact, in October of 2015 alone, about 28 million people visited a haunted house in the US. But you might wonder: What could possibly be fun about being scared? Margee Kerr examines the biology and psychology behind what makes fear so fun.
Lesson by Margee Kerr, animation by Meduzaz animation studio.
- Video Language:
- English
- Team:
- closed TED
- Project:
- TED-Ed
- Duration:
- 04:29
Jessica Ruby approved English subtitles for Why is being scared so fun? - Margee Kerr | ||
Jessica Ruby edited English subtitles for Why is being scared so fun? - Margee Kerr | ||
Jessica Ruby accepted English subtitles for Why is being scared so fun? - Margee Kerr | ||
Jessica Ruby edited English subtitles for Why is being scared so fun? - Margee Kerr | ||
Jessica Ruby edited English subtitles for Why is being scared so fun? - Margee Kerr | ||
Jennifer Cody edited English subtitles for Why is being scared so fun? - Margee Kerr | ||
Jennifer Cody edited English subtitles for Why is being scared so fun? - Margee Kerr |