A new study from Aarhus University in Denmark has unraveled the secret to why we laugh after a good scare, shedding light on the “sweet spot” that makes for the ideal prank. Led by PhD fellow Marc Hye-Knudsen, the research explores how humor helps us transition from a state of anxiety to laughter, particularly through what he describes as a “perceived violation” that is quickly re-evaluated as harmless.
Drawing on examples from haunted houses and classic games like peekaboo, Hye-Knudsen explains that the most successful pranks land in a carefully balanced area between fun and fear. “Haunted attractions and horror films immerse audiences in fear, enhancing their startle reactions to jump scares. But the scare also immediately pulls them out of that imagined world, allowing them to see it as non-threatening,” he said.
However, not all pranks are created equal. According to Hye-Knudsen, social distance also plays a role: “Watching a stranger get scared online doesn’t register as strongly because there’s no social connection. Online pranksters have to dial up the scare factor for maximum effect.”
This research, published in Evolutionary Psychology, offers pranksters a scientific approach to achieving that perfect laugh-to-scare ratio a revelation for anyone looking to master the art of a memorable prank.
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