Why Do Some People Enjoy Being Scared At Haunted Houses While Others Avoid Them

Every Halloween season, thousands of people line up to enter dimly lit corridors filled with jump scares, eerie sounds, and masked figures lunging from the shadows. For many, it’s an exhilarating ritual—a controlled dose of terror that ends in laughter and shared stories. Yet for just as many, the idea of willingly subjecting themselves to fear is incomprehensible. Why do some people actively seek out haunted houses, relishing every heartbeat-racing moment, while others would rather skip the experience entirely? The answer lies at the intersection of biology, psychology, personality, and context.

Fear is a primal emotion designed to protect us from danger. But when we know we’re not actually in peril—such as during a staged haunted house experience—our brain can reinterpret that fear as excitement. This shift doesn’t happen uniformly across individuals. Some brains are wired to savor the rush; others remain vigilant, interpreting even simulated threats as genuinely distressing. Understanding this divergence reveals deeper truths about human behavior, risk tolerance, and emotional regulation.

The Science of Fear: How Our Brains React

When we encounter something frightening, our amygdala—the brain’s emotional command center—triggers the fight-or-flight response. Adrenaline surges, heart rate increases, and senses sharpen. In real danger, this prepares us to survive. But in a safe environment like a haunted attraction, the prefrontal cortex steps in to assess context: “This isn’t real. I’m not in danger.” For some, this realization transforms fear into fun. They experience what researchers call “excitation transfer”—the lingering arousal from fear gets reinterpreted as euphoria.

Neuroscientist Dr. David Zald from Vanderbilt University has studied sensation-seeking behavior extensively. He explains:

“People who enjoy scary experiences often have a more efficient dopamine system. When they’re startled or thrilled, their brains release dopamine in a way that feels rewarding, not punishing.”

This neurological reward pathway is particularly active in individuals with higher sensation-seeking tendencies. These people crave novelty, intensity, and complexity in their experiences. A predictable evening at home doesn’t satisfy them the way a high-arousal event like a haunted house does.

Tip: If you're curious about trying a haunted house but feel hesitant, go with a trusted friend—the social context can reduce perceived threat and make the experience more enjoyable.

Personality Traits That Influence Fear Response

Psychologists use models like the Big Five personality traits to understand individual differences in behavior. Two traits stand out when it comes to enjoying fear-based entertainment: extraversion and openness to experience.

• Extraverts tend to seek stimulation and thrive in social, energetic environments. A haunted house offers both—an adrenaline-packed group activity that fosters bonding through shared reactions.
• Open individuals are drawn to novel and unconventional experiences. They may view fear as a form of emotional exploration, not something to avoid.

In contrast, those high in neuroticism—characterized by anxiety, moodiness, and emotional instability—are more likely to perceive haunted attractions as genuinely threatening, even when rationally aware of their safety. Their brains may struggle to downregulate fear signals, making the experience overwhelming rather than thrilling.

A 2020 study published in Emotion found that participants who scored high on sensation-seeking scales reported greater enjoyment during horror film viewing, even when their physiological markers (like heart rate) indicated intense arousal. Meanwhile, low sensation-seekers showed similar physical responses but described the experience as unpleasant or stressful.

The Role of Control and Context

One crucial factor that separates enjoyable fear from traumatic fear is **perceived control**. In a haunted house, visitors know they can leave at any time. They’ve chosen to enter. The scares are bounded by time, space, and rules. This sense of autonomy allows the brain to treat fear as a game.

Consider two scenarios:

1. You’re walking alone at night and hear footsteps behind you—your body tenses, your mind races. There’s no exit, no script, no guarantee of safety.
2. You walk into a haunted trail with friends, knowing actors will jump out, but also knowing there are emergency exits and staff nearby.

The first scenario triggers survival-mode fear. The second activates recreational fear—a voluntary engagement with danger that ends in relief and laughter.

Context also includes social cues. Laughing with friends after a scare reinforces the idea that the experience was safe and fun. Conversely, if someone enters a haunted house feeling pressured or isolated, the same jump scare might induce panic instead of amusement.

Do’s and Don’ts: Navigating Haunted Attractions Based on Personality

If You Are...	Do	Don’t
High in anxiety or trauma history	Choose lower-intensity options or preview reviews beforehand	Force yourself to go “just to prove something”
A sensation seeker	Try extreme haunts with immersive themes and actor interaction	Underestimate the psychological impact—some haunts are designed to disorient
Going with mixed groups	Discuss comfort levels and agree on exit signals	Mock others’ fears or pressure reluctant members
New to haunted attractions	Start with outdoor, family-friendly events	Jump straight into “extreme” or “no-touch” haunts

Mini Case Study: Two Friends, One Haunted House

Take the example of Maya and Jen, coworkers who attended a popular seasonal haunt together. Maya had been looking forward to it for weeks—she loved horror movies and thrill rides. Jen agreed to go mostly to support her friend, though she admitted feeling uneasy about dark spaces and unexpected noises.

Inside, Maya laughed after each scare, adrenaline fueling her excitement. She leaned into the experience, even engaging with actors. Jen, however, froze during a narrow hallway scene where strobe lights and loud sounds created sensory overload. Her breathing became shallow, and she asked to leave early.

Afterward, Maya couldn’t understand why Jen hadn’t enjoyed it. But Jen explained she’d felt trapped and disoriented, despite knowing it wasn’t real. Their differing reactions weren’t about courage—they reflected fundamental differences in how their nervous systems processed stress and novelty.

This case illustrates that enjoyment of fear isn’t simply a matter of “being brave.” It’s shaped by internal thresholds, past experiences, and moment-to-moment feelings of safety.

Why Avoidance Isn’t Weakness—It’s Self-Awareness

Society often frames fear avoidance as cowardice, especially around Halloween when “facing your fears” is a common narrative. But choosing not to engage with scary experiences is not a flaw—it’s an act of self-knowledge.

Dr. Margee Kerr, sociologist and author of *Scream: Chilling Adventures in the Science of Fear*, emphasizes:

“We need to stop judging people for how they respond to fear. Enjoying a haunted house isn’t a sign of strength, and avoiding one isn’t weakness. It’s about biology, history, and personal boundaries.”

Some people have experienced real trauma—abuse, accidents, or violence—that makes simulated fear feel too close to reality. For them, a jump scare isn’t playful; it’s triggering. Others may have anxiety disorders or sensory sensitivities that make crowded, chaotic environments overwhelming.

Respecting these differences fosters healthier social dynamics. Instead of pressuring someone to “just try it,” ask: *What kind of experiences make you feel energized versus drained?* That conversation opens space for empathy, not judgment.

Step-by-Step Guide: Exploring Fear Responsibly

If you’re curious about whether you might enjoy a haunted house—or want to help someone else explore fear safely—follow this gradual approach:

1. Assess your motivation. Are you going because you genuinely want to, or because of peer pressure?
2. Research the attraction. Look for intensity ratings, customer reviews, and descriptions of special effects (e.g., strobe lights, physical contact).
3. Start small. Try a low-intensity outdoor haunt or a horror-themed escape room before committing to a full-scale indoor maze.
4. Go with supportive companions. Choose people who respect boundaries and won’t mock fear responses.
5. Set clear exit plans. Agree on a hand signal or phrase to use if someone wants to leave.
6. Debrief afterward. Talk about what parts were fun, scary, or uncomfortable. Reflect without judgment.

This methodical process builds confidence and helps distinguish between manageable discomfort and genuine distress.

FAQ: Common Questions About Fear and Haunted Houses

Can repeated exposure help someone learn to enjoy being scared?

Yes—for some. Gradual, controlled exposure in safe settings can desensitize people to certain fears. However, it only works if the person is open to the process and not traumatized by early experiences. Pushing too hard can backfire, reinforcing negative associations.

Are children affected differently by haunted houses?

Absolutely. Younger children often can’t distinguish fantasy from reality, making scares more likely to cause lasting anxiety. Most experts recommend waiting until age 12 or older for intense haunts, depending on maturity and temperament.

Is enjoying fear linked to other risky behaviors?

Not necessarily. While sensation seekers may be more prone to thrill-seeking activities (like skydiving or extreme sports), enjoying a haunted house doesn’t predict dangerous behavior. The key difference is that recreational fear occurs within known safety parameters.

Conclusion: Embracing Diverse Responses to Fear

The divide between those who love haunted houses and those who avoid them isn’t about bravery or weakness—it’s about individual psychology, neurochemistry, and lived experience. Some people’s brains are wired to convert fear into fun, while others remain attuned to threat, even in playful contexts. Both responses are valid.

Understanding this helps us move beyond stereotypes and appreciate the diversity of human emotion. Whether you sprint toward the haunted maze or choose a cozy movie night instead, your reaction is part of what makes you uniquely you.

💬 What’s your relationship with fear? Do you love haunted houses or prefer to stay far away? Share your story in the comments—your experience could help someone feel less alone in theirs.