November 1, 2008

  • Why its fun to be scared !!!

    Why do we like horror films, amusement park rides and…
    Halloween? Researchers have discovered that a look of horror
    makes a faster first impression on our brains than a smile. Our
    brains become aware of fearful faces more quickly than those
    showing other emotions—an evolutionary adaptation that has
    kept humans safe.

    Psychologist David Zald says, "There are reasons to believe
    that the brain has evolved mechanisms to detect things in
    the environment that signal threat. One of those signals is a
    look of fear. We believe that the brain can detect certain
    cues even before we are aware of them, so that we can
    direct our attention to potentially threatening situations in
    our environment…What we believe is happening is that the
    happy faces signal safety. If something is safe, you don't
    have to pay attention to it."