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Short Wave

The Sound Of Fear: Why Do Animals Scream?

Oct 30, 2024
Nate Rott, an NPR correspondent, and Dan Blumstein, a UCLA professor specializing in animal behavior, dive into the intriguing science of fear sounds. They discuss how alarm calls of yellow-bellied marmots reveal the connection between sound and survival. The conversation uncovers the psychological effects of screams on both animals and humans. From marmot shrieks to baby cries, they explore how these sounds signal distress and danger, and even touch on the evolutionary roots of fear in human behavior, blending science with fun Halloween themes.
14:28

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Research on animal vocalizations reveals that different distress sounds, like screams, have unique acoustic properties that trigger fear responses in both animals and humans.
  • Horror films use nonlinear sounds to evoke strong emotional reactions, conditioning audiences to associate specific auditory cues with fear and danger.

Deep dives

The Science of Fear Sounds

Research into the sound of fear reveals significant insights into animal behavior and communication. A key figure in this area is Dan Blumstein, a behavioral ecologist who explores the different types of vocalizations made by yellow-bellied marmots under stress. Regular alarm calls made by these marmots serve as warning signals to the group, but extreme distress elicits a markedly different sound, akin to a scream. This scream triggers visceral responses in both animals and humans, suggesting a deep biological connection to how fear is expressed and perceived.

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