Short Wave Like Being Scared? Here’s Why
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Oct 29, 2025 
Mark Mammdorf-Andersen, a cognitive behavioral scientist and co-director of Denmark's Recreational Fear Lab, dives into the psychology of fear. He explains why haunted houses serve as perfect research environments to study our fears. Discover the 'sweet spot' of enjoyable fear, and learn how social dynamics can enhance scary experiences. Mammdorf-Andersen also discusses theories for why people actively seek fear, from arousal relief to the joy of shared experiences with friends. It's a fun exploration of what makes us thrill-seekers!
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Haunted Houses As Real-World Labs
- Haunted houses let scientists study real-feel threats in immersive settings without harming participants.
- Sarah Tasgin and others use these sites to observe natural fear responses beyond low-intensity lab tasks.
The Goldilocks Zone Of Fear
- Recreational Fear Lab found an inverted U-shaped curve: enjoyment peaks at moderate fear.
- Too little or too much fear both reduce enjoyment, so there is a personal "just right" scare level.
Design Scares With Sensory Variation
- Use varied sensory inputs—sound, light, smell—to keep people off balance and engaged.
- Mix anticipation and suspense to build the arousal that makes scares effective.