Read on to find out why we willingly step into scare attractions for our own humour and entertainment. Why do we choose to step into the haunted Malkin Manor, wander through the cursed carnival corridors of JINXED, or test our limits in the extreme chaos of BLACKMARKET: Killstream?
Why, despite the racing heart rate and the urge to turn back, do we keep coming back for more?
To understand why, let’s dive into the fascinating psychology of fear and find out why we love to be scared.
Fear is a rollercoaster built into your brain
When something jumps out at you in a scare maze, your brain hits the alarm button almost instantly.
That’s your fight‑or‑flight response kicking in, triggered by the ‘amygdala’ which is the part of the brain responsible for processing fear and driving fast instinctive reactions.
But inside a scare attraction, your logical brain knows you’re safe.
That’s what creates the perfect mix of danger without risk, which is the thrilling sweet spot that makes these experiences so addictive.
This is exactly why the sudden scares in SCREAMS! feel so exhilarating rather than traumatic.
Laughter after screaming
Have you ever understood why right after screaming we start laughing?
This is the nervous system trying to balance itself out.
Once the ‘threat’ disappears, (like the carnival characters in JINXED vanishing back into the dark), your body releases waves of Dopamine, Endorphins and Serotonin.
These ‘feel good’ chemicals create a rush of excitement, which is why people stumble out of a scare maze laughing asking to do it all over again.
Fear brings people together
Enjoy going through a scare attraction with your mates?
Psychologists call this social bonding through arousal, when people experience intense emotions together such as fear or excitement, they feel closer afterwards.
That’s why groups cling to each other in the dark and couples instantly grab each other’s hand for security.
Through this social bonding, walking through a scare maze creates lasting memories and even stronger friendships.
We love solving the ‘mystery’ of fear
Good scare attractions don’t just scare you, but draw you into a compelling story, just like SCREAMS!
In a scare attraction, our brain will instantly try to solve the mystery, just like in Malkin Manor:
- Where did Riley Heart go?
- Is Edward Malkin still here?
As humans it is in our nature to try and solve a missing narrative, especially scary ones.
During this process your imagination can make the experience feel more intense.
Controlled Fear = A safe way to explore in the dark
We all have a curious side within us, and scare attractions let us explore danger and the unknown in a safe environment, while being scared in the process.
In a scare attraction like BLACKMARKET: Killstream, our curiosity meets a heightened sense of vulnerability, which means the thrill becomes even more intense.
You’re not in any real danger, but your body responds as if it is without any actual risk.
This is what makes a scare attraction so thrilling.
Fear makes you brave.
Survival confidence.
The achievement of making it through a scare attraction and coming out the other side.
Your brain interprets this as a victory.
Even though you’re clutching at your chest and nervously laughing, underneath that is a sense of pride, accomplishment and resilience.
That’s why people often brag about SCREAMS afterwards – it’s like wearing a badge of honour when you complete it.
So, why do we keep coming back?
Because fear is fun when we’re in control and it’s able to bring people together.
Fear gives us a rush which we can’t easily find anywhere else, it makes you feel excited, exhilarated and strangely empowered.
And because events like SCREAMS! create fear, which is safe and rich in a captivating story, you don’t just get scared…
You get an experience.
Stay tuned for when bookings open for SCREAMS! later this year. Keep an eye on thorntonhallscreams.co.uk and follow our socials @screamsatthorntonhall for updates — tickets sell fast and dates are limited.
Watch this space.
SCREAMS! at Thornton Hall Country Park | Thornton in Craven, Near Skipton, BD23 3TS
Call us: 01282 841148 | events@thorntonhallcountrypark.co.uk
thorntonhallscreams.co.uk