WHY DO SOME BRAINS ENJOY FEAR?

The science behind the appeal of haunted houses, freak shows and physical thrills

By: Allegra Ringo

Published: October 31 2013; The Atlantic; http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2013/10/why-do-some-brains-enjoy-fear/280938/

Level of Difficulty: **

BEFORE YOU READ

·         Do you enjoy thrillers and horror stories? Which ones have you watched?

·         What extreme sports do you know? Would you like to try any of them?

·         What makes danger and coping with it so attractive?

·         Do you feel whether or not you enjoy thrillers is a matter of personality or is there some other reason?
NOW WATCH THE VIDEO
Why do we like to be scared? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4iNTjTqMvc

QUESTIONS

1.       What does “this” refer to in the phrase “this isn’t just about personal choice”?

2.       The reason why some people enjoy frightening and thrilling situations more is the fact they………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

3.       Why does the aftermath of a scary experience lead people to in fact enjoy the experience? Isn’t this rather illogical?

4.       Early childhood memories may lead some people to dislike frightening experiences because they lead to………………………………………

5.       People who enjoy a frightening situation would not derive the same pleasure if……………………………..because……………………………………………………………………………..

6.       People can learn to fear anything; the only thing needed is…………………….. The case of ……………………..proves this point.

7.       The common characteristic of all scary monsters is that they go against……………………

8.       The obsession with zombies, vampires and ghosts is linked to man’s preoccupation…………….. coupled with the desire to………………………………………………………

9.       Roller coasters and similar rides are now present in every amusement park the world over because …………………………..has become big business.

10.   What ghost stories, gothic novels and places like Barnum’s American Museum have in common? They don’t provide…………………………………………………………………………………………

11.   Strong / weak emotional responses lead to closer/ more distant relationships between the people sharing the experience. This has survival value/ emotional value/physical value

WHY DO BRAINS ENJOY FEAR KEY AND TEACHER’S NOTES

This fascinating text has a definite wow factor and has universal appeal. The reading task I have prepared mostly test summary skills and paraphrasing skills so it should be done while preparing to write summaries.

1.       The fact that the natural high from the fight or flight response feels great.

2.       Lack the brakes on dopamine release and uptake in the brain.

3.       No it is not illogical; the scary situation leaves them with a sense of confidence when it is all over.

4.       (The building of ) flashbulb memories

5.       They were not in safe environments; because their brains would process the fact that these were real threats.

6.       Fear conditioning; Baby Albert

7.       The general laws of nature

8.       With death; live forever OR to imagine a life after the death

9.       Scaring ourselves for fun

10.   Physical thrills

11.   Strong, closer, survival value