When Fear Is Fun 2021

Beskrivelse

Fear is a scientifically well-understood emotion that evolved to allow organisms to swiftly mobilize resources in times of need. Indeed, it is well-documented that organisms universally respond with fight, flight or freeze behavior when faced with actual or potentially dangerous situations. What is much less well understood is how fear becomes the engine in pleasurable activities—what could be termed “recreational fear.” Fear-seeking activities range from mildly scary children’s activities, such as playfully being chased by a parent or caregiver, to full-blown horror media, such as horror films and haunted attractions. Such media entertainment is both culturally pervasive and exceedingly popular. Recreational fear, in other words, is a widespread phenomenon that requires empirical investigation in its developmental, psychological, social, cultural and biological dimensions. ‘When Fear is Fun’ is a one-day international and interdisciplinary workshop that will bring together media scholars, philosophers, communication scientists, psychologists and cognitive scientists for the first systematic exploration of the interactions between these spheres of research.

Periode	26 aug. 2021
Begivenhedstype	Workshop
Placering	Aarhus, DanmarkVis på kort
Grad af anerkendelse	International