Haunted houses, thrillers feed on our perceptions and senses

Fear. It's a small word with a big meaning.

What one person fears may be something entirely different from what another fears.

"Fear is the body's response to a real or perceived threat," and with that comes a racing heartbeat and shortness of breath, said Dr. Kelley Harmon, instructor of psychology at the University of Southern Indiana.

It is a natural response, she said, adding that we're all born with some fears.

"All animals will fear their predator," she said, " and human infants generally have some fear of heights."

But what turns that natural or innate fear into something more is how a fear is learned or conditioned, she said.

Halloween, in one way or another, is about fear. Haunted houses pop up in almost every community and some people flock to them to get a good scare. But what is it about being scared that people love so much?

Harmon said there is mixed research on why people are drawn to haunted houses, but in general the ones who go to those are risk-takers or thrill-seekers.

"Some people enjoy that high, then the calming down," Harmon said.

The recent box office release of the horror film "Paranormal Activity 3" grossed more in its opening weekend than the other two films in the series. It raked in $54 million in the U.S., with a total of about $80 million worldwide, according to Box Office Mojo, a website that tracks film statistics.

The recent film also now holds the record for biggest fall film release.

So why are horror movies such as those in the "Paranormal" series so successful?

"'Paranormal' and horror movies are getting you to think about something you don't normally think about," Harmon said. If you mix a general horror movie with the cognitive thought process of a thriller, "you've got a blockbuster," she said.

The same is true for current TV programs that involve this thought process, she said. Not only is there the element of mystery and the critical thinking process — which goes back as far as "Sherlock Holmes" — she said, but now with current television shows there are great graphics, which may be the reason shows such as "NCIS" are gaining in popularity.

According to the Nielsen Company, which tracks entertainment trends and statistics, "NCIS" currently is the top-rated broadcast television show in America.

"We're all born with fear response," said Harmon, but how someone responds to that fear determines how that fear might develop. " As humans, we tend to get over most of our fears."

All fear starts with a sensory perception, she said, which can come from visual or auditory senses. If one sees a spider or hears a gunshot, either of those can trigger a fear response.

This response triggers the nervous system, generally with an increase in heart rate, blood pressure and breathing rate. Meanwhile, the body goes through a decrease in digestion "to get you prepared to fight," said Harmon.

Then, after the body responds to the perceived fear, there comes a decrease in heart rate, blood pressure and breathing rate, while digestion increases.

She added that this up-and-down response may be what sends thrill-seekers and risk takers to go see horror movies or take a trip through haunted houses.

Dr. Mark Kopta, professor of psychology at the University of Evansville, said what likely sends people to haunted houses is the adrenaline rush that comes with the adventure.

"The adrenaline rush feels good rather than bad," he said. " And pair that with the knowledge that there's no threat of danger" of going through a haunted house.

Common fears and phobias

Fear of needles

Fear of public speaking

Fear of spiders

Fear of snakes

Fear of costumed figures

Fear of storms

Fear of flying

Fear of death or illness

Fear of germs