Emotion June 2019 PMID 30307264

Voluntary arousing negative experiences (VANE): Why we like to be scared.

Margee Kerr, Greg J Siegle, Jahala Orsini

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Mentions

Peak: 6 in Oct 2024

across 5 sources since Oct 2019

Extended reach

114,823

potential audience

Total likes

Video views

1,124

Mentions per month

Oct 2019 – Oct 2025

Where it's discussed

News68 articles
X / Twitter13 posts
Blogs10 articles
YouTube2 videos
Facebook2 posts

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The overall tone combines scientific insights with popular culture, such as mentions of Halloween and thrill-seeking, illustrating how the article's findings resonate with real-world behaviors. Phrases like 'happy thrills' and references to dopamine release highlight an appreciation for the positive feelings derived from controlled fear, showing active engagement and interest in the psychological and social implications of VANE.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions acknowledge the article's claim that safe, negative experiences like fear can have positive emotional effects, with many referencing scientific explanations about adrenaline and dopamine releases.

InterestHigh interest

Participants are highly interested, discussing the topic across different cultural contexts and including references to scientific studies, Halloween phenomena, and personal experiences.

EngagementHigh engagement

Posts demonstrate deep engagement by citing research (e.g., VANE), explaining psychological mechanisms, and connecting these ideas to everyday activities, suggesting active reflection and discussion.

ImpactModerate impact

The discussions suggest the article influences understanding of stress and fear management, as well as mainstream conversations about guilt-free thrill-seeking, which could inform stress coping strategies or clinical approaches.

Abstract in brief

The study investigated why people voluntarily seek out high-arousal negative experiences like extreme haunted attractions, suggesting that such activities may turn negative stimuli into positive feelings through voluntary engagement.
Participants reported feeling better emotionally after the experience, especially if they initially felt tired, bored, or stressed, and this mood improvement was linked to decreased neural reactivity during cognitive and emotional tasks.
The findings imply that VANE (Voluntary Arousing Negative Experiences) can reduce neural reactivity to stress, which might help people cope with future stressors and could inform clinical strategies for managing stress.]

Read the full abstract

All mentions

Understanding Why We Seek Fear Through Controlled Horror Experiences

A study published in the APA journal explores why we enjoy fear in controlled situations like horror films. It suggests that safe terror releases adrenaline and dopamine, creating excitement and strengthening social…

AudiMente · Oct 30, 2024 1,088 views

Understanding Fear: Psychological Resilience through Horror Media

This video explores the complex relationships fear has with our entertainment, psychology, and beliefs. We discuss how horror fans and the morbidly curious demonstrate greater psychological resilience, particularly…

One, After Midnight · Apr 19, 2024 36 views

kindness.org

@kindness_org · X

Turns out, a good scare can actually make us smile. Science* says being scared (safely!) can make us happier, less anxious, and even help us cope better in tough situations. Safe chills give us happy thrills. What is your scare of choice?

Oct 28, 2025 · 6,033 followers View post →

CRUX Psychology

@cruxpsychology · X

(Kerr & Siegle, 2019) https://t.co/Likd1G8sSH (Belujon & Grace, 2015) https://t.co/10DNaJDD8g

Oct 31, 2024 · 403 followers View post →

AudiMente

@AudiMente · X

Gli studiosi suggeriscono che il “terrore sicuro” provoca una scarica di adrenalina e dopamina che crea eccitazione senza pericoli reali. #Thriller #HorrorAddicts #Halloween #AudiMente Fonte: https://t.co/ysnruE1Q1T https://t.co/ImO87NBnOH

Oct 30, 2024 · 31 followers View post →

kindness.org

@kindness_org · X

Boo!

Oct 29, 2024 · 1 like · 6,033 followers View post →

Benny Prawira Siauw

@bennysiauw89 · X

RT @kindness_org: Boo!

Oct 29, 2024 · 1 share · 30,914 followers View post →

kindness.org

@kindness_org · X

Boo!

Oct 29, 2024 · 1 like · 1 share · 6,033 followers View post →

JXG

@JohnXGaspar · X

We enjoy scaring ourselves. Highly intense and scary activities reduce brain reactivity, which we associate with feeling good. Self-induced fear is fun. https://t.co/3HPZQGCQrb https://t.co/yK8LAxoubf

Oct 4, 2023 · 574 followers View post →

Jinwoo Lee

@aesciemo · X

RT @leafs_s: Voluntary arousing negative experiences (VANE): Why we like to be scared. https://t.co/dTBggAKV9y

Aug 20, 2023 · 2 shares · 271 followers View post →

CLaE

@leafs_s · X

Voluntary arousing negative experiences (VANE): Why we like to be scared. https://t.co/dTBggAKV9y

Aug 20, 2023 · 12 likes · 2 shares · 28,430 followers View post →

neuropsych

@neuropsychfacts · X

Self-induced fear is fun. Highly intense and scary activities reduce brain reactivity, which we associate with feeling good. https://t.co/hndRJStjIU

Aug 4, 2021 · 122 followers View post →

Altmetric

@altmetric · X

Oct 31, 2019 · 2 likes · 1 share · 30,833 followers View post →

shecanhazpdf

@hecanhazpdf · X

RT @Christophe_Rodo: #icanhazpdf ?

Oct 6, 2019 · 1 share · 997 followers View post →

Christophe Rodo

@Christophe_Rodo · X

#icanhazpdf ?

Oct 6, 2019 · 1 like · 1 share · 3,008 followers View post →

Voluntary arousing negative experiences (VANE): Why we like to be scared.

Mentions per month

Where it's discussed

What people are saying

Abstract in brief

Top posts

All mentions

Understanding Why We Seek Fear Through Controlled Horror Experiences

Understanding Fear: Psychological Resilience through Horror Media