Love to be scared? Here’s why according to sociology

From haunted houses to horror movies, a lot of people seek out the things that will elicit a Halloween scream. Why do we like to be scared?

From haunted houses to horror movies, a lot of people seek out fear around Halloween — and it turns out there is a real reason why you can’t resist a good scare.

Alex Bierman researches the sociology of fear at the University of Calgary and is a lifelong horror fan.

“At third grade, I started reading Stephen King, and I’ve been (a) big fan of horror ever since,” he said.

Bierman said people’s fascination with fear comes down to control, or at least the illusion of it.

“Fear ultimately is a reaction to threat. And the main way we tend to feel threat is through powerlessness,” he said.

“We feel we’re not in control of the circumstances and scary movies, scary books, they give us a sense to feel the sense of powerlessness, while at the same time knowing that really, we aren’t powerless.”

A safe shock is fun for many — because while the screams that come from going through a haunted maze or watching a thriller movie are real, the threat is not.

“We know how to kill a vampire, we know how to stop a werewolf. It’s much more terrifying to think we can’t afford the food we need to live,” he explained.

“What research really shows is that fear is about the everyday experience. Feeling like you can’t afford to put food on the table, feeling like you’re alone and vulnerable. That’s really what scares people.”

As for those that like to scare others, Bierman said there’s likely a couple reasons: people like to perform, it can give them a sense of control or power, and simply, it’s fun.

That’s the case for a Calgary woman who goes by the name “The Shrieker” during Halloween.

She’s transformed her garage into the Badlands haunted house for five years and said the crowds keep on growing for people looking for a little fight and a lot of fun.

“I really like the togetherness of Halloween. I really like being outside and seeing the big line ups, strangers talking to strangers, laughing but also, I just really like to scare people,” she said.

“I really just like the thrill of people running and screaming honestly.”

The Badlands is located at 241 Prestwick Circle southeast and is accepting food bank donations at the haunted house until 10 p.m. Friday.