THE PSYCHOLOGY OF SCARE...HAUNTED HOUSES-WHY ARE WE SCARED FOR REAL OR FOR FUN???

A dark house, filled with chandeliers dripping with cobwebs.  You slowly step inside, knowing that around the corner, your greatest fear awaits.  Perhaps it's a monster hiding under the bed, or a killer from one of your favorite horror movies.  Every room you go through is stained with blood, and someone's waiting to jump out at you.  The floors creak as you move along, with a group of friends, clutching at each other, expecting someone to peek out of every nook and cranny of the room you're moving through.

Every year at Halloween, "Haunted Houses" pop up and people line up at the front door to go inside, sometimes waiting for hours!  WHY??? In reality, most of the houses aren't literally "haunted" they're just darn SPOOKY !  So why is it , exactly, that people from around the world spend their time.....and money...to be scared?

Some psychologists believe, actually, that many people can't help it.  Frank Farley, a psychologist and former president of the American Psychological Association, has studied people who seek out the type of scares often associated with haunted houses.  Farley calls these thrill seekers "Type T" personalities.  Yes, the "T" stands for thrill.  Sweaty palms, pumping heart, and knots in the stomach are all familiar to the Type "T".

Perhaps Type T's are driven by their genes.  DRD4 is a gene associated with the personality trait of seeking out new experiences.  Those with the DRD4 gene may be more likely to seek out the thrills of entering an unknown, mysterious area....such as a haunted house.

At the other end of the spectrum are type "t's"(lower case t), who are less likely to enjoy the scares that come along by visiting decrepit mansions that are home to spooky specters.

A long-held psychological belief is the "fight or flight" theory.  When present with danger, the human body can react one of two ways:  you either want to conquer your fear or avoid it.  When threatened, adrenaline rushes through our body, increasing your strength and heightening your senses.  A Type T person would be more apt to fall into the "fight" category and enjoy the physical rush.  Wonder what real "ghost hunters" personality would be??? hhuuummm LOL

Of course, the people who design the houses themselves know this, and capitalize on people's needs to be scared out of their wits!  Darkness, unexpected sounds, bloody body parts and the smell of burning flesh are all things you might experience in a haunted house.  Sounds like a great Date Night right?

Why are people afraid of real ghosts?  Well, no doubt some of it stems from our fear of the unknown.  It's also safe to say that Hollywood and the literary world and all the new paranormal shows haven't done ghosts any favors.  Casper the Friendly Ghost notwithstanding, many representation of spirit in pop culture are decidedly evil.  So not only do people who fear ghosts have to deal with fear of the unknown, but they're conditioned to believe that ghosts are actually out to hurt them.  By the way, do you know what you call someone that has a fear of ghosts?  Phasmophobia.

Ghosts also represent something that strikes fear into many of us: people equate spirits with death; therefore ghosts can be a reminder of our own mortality.  Many phobias are just what people who make haunted houses are counting on.....your fear of clowns, spiders, the dark, and ghosts.  Whatever your fear there is likely a haunted house out there for you.

So, if you're a Type T, or you've had the DRD4 gene passed on to you, good new lies around the corner.  As Halloween approaches, haunted houses will go up, and you'll be sure to get your SCARE ON!!!  For those who can't wait....real haunted houses can be found year round for your thrill-seeking personalities.  Have a ghostly good time where ever you go!

And remember... "I got your back". LOL