Category Archives: Facing Fear

Decomposing Bodies in the 1720s Gave Birth to the First Vampire Panic

Count Dracula, Nosferatu, the Cullens. What do they have in common aside from a shared aversion to sunlight? Their roots could be traced to similar vampire panics and folklore. Click to read more.

Searching the Brain for the Roots of Fear

Do you know the difference between fearing something and worrying about it? How do things that probably won’t do us any harm come to symbolize threats? This commentary from Joseph LeDoux, the director of the Emotional Brain Institute and a professor of neural science, describes the problems that arise when fear turns to anxiety.

An A.I. Bot Named “Shelley” Is Generating Spooky Stories on Twitter

While “Shelley” won’t be winning any storytelling awards anytime soon with its quirky and at times nonsensical writing, the story-writing bot is a fun experiment.

Victoria siblings explore chilling creatures from Indigenous stories in horror-themed podcast

A brother-and-sister team from the Whitesand First Nation, explore creatures from Indigenous oral histories in their horror-themed podcast. Read about their topics and approach.

Scientists have found a way to stimulate the BRAIN to boost your courage and remove fear

Read about the cutting-edge breakthrough scientists have made in making fear a thing of the past.

Evolutionary psychology explains why haunted houses creep us out

An old and dilapidated house being reclaimed by greenery. Creaky floorboards and shifting walls that seem to groan. Intimidating exterior looming in the darkness. All possible elements of a “haunted house,” but what exactly do we find so scary? Read on to discover a psychologist’s take on the subject.

What Frightens America’s Youth?

Back in 2005, the Gallup organization took a poll to discover what frightened American teens. Check out that poll’s results and compare them to the fears of teens today. What fears do today’s teens share with teens in 2005? What fears differ? Take a poll among your friends and classmates to find out.

Horror Fans Cope Better with the Pandemic, Study Finds

Horror movies may have prepared some people for the pandemic in a variety of ways. Read the article to learn more about the possible benefits of horror movies.

No Trick Or Treat: Americans Get Creative To Celebrate Halloween Safely

What will Halloween look like this year with the looming threat of COVID-19? Parents fear for their children’s safety.

‘I Was a Little Scared’: Inside America’s Reopening Schools

Several students share their concerns after returning to school during the pandemic. Scroll and choose 2 or 3 stories to read.

Fires, orchestras, parachutes. Some other ways to describe coronavirus — besides war.

Listen: Metaphors used to describe the pandemic are so powerful, they can increase our fear and frustration.

Are Infants Afraid of Heights?

Infants are afraid of strangers, but what about heights? When do people start to have fear of heights?

How Roller Coasters Work: Roller Coaster Components

Most people have seen or ridden a roller-coaster, and either fear riding one or like the ride. So you think you know how a roller coaster works? Compare what you know with what this article tells you.

“We got you:” How four teen surfers rescued drowning swimmers from a rip current

Four teen surfers rescue two swimmers fearing for their lives.

Coronavirus Anxiety: Coping with Stress and Fear

In the uncertainty surrounding the global coronavirus pandemic, many people feel worried or anxious. Here are some tips for managing fear.

How Can Adrenaline Help You Lift a 3,500-Pound Car?

Have you ever heard of an adrenaline rush? This article by Josh Clark describes how a rush of adrenaline, brought on by a fearful situation, can give someone “superhuman” strength.

The science of choking under pressure—and how to avoid it

What makes an elite athlete fail just at the moment they’ve been training for since childhood? Read about the causes of “choking” and ways to prevent it.