What spooks you? A mysterious thud downstairs in the middle of the night, spotting a spider on your pillow, and feeling something brush against your leg in the sea are among the top 10 things that make Brits scream, according to a recent survey of 2,000 adults in the U.K.
Yet despite being quick to shriek, the nation appears to embrace the fun side of fear, with 84% of respondents saying scary experiences are more likely to end in laughter than panic when shared with others.
More than half also confirmed enjoying spooky thrills in a group setting tends to leave them laughing, particularly when watching horror films, riding roller coasters, or braving a haunted attraction.
According to psychologist Kimberley Wilson, there’s a scientific reason these scary experiences can feel surprisingly enjoyable, something she’s dubbed the “Shared Shriek Effect.”
“When we watch something scary, our bodies respond as if we’re facing a threat. Our heart rate increases, adrenaline rises, and our attention sharpens,” she told SWNS. “The difference is that our brains know we’re actually safe, which allows us to experience that physical rush as excitement rather than fear.”
Wilson added: “When we share that experience with other people, whether we’re jumping, screaming, or laughing together, it can create a genuine sense of connection. The scream itself also helps release the tension that’s been building up, which is why laughter so often follows.”
There are benefits beyond the thrill, too, with a quarter saying that being scared offers an escape from everyday life, while 24% see it as a healthy emotional release. Nearly 1 in 5 of those polled also believe it acts as an instant stress reliever.
The research was done via OnePoll and commissioned by M&M’s to mark the launch of the candy brand’s new “Screaming Service,” encouraging people to swap streaming for screaming this Halloween.
“We think Halloween isn’t really about being scared, it’s about screaming together,” said Georgia Woodward, a senior brand manager at M&M’s. “Our ‘Screaming Service’ celebrates those moments across the month of Halloween when everyone jumps at the same scenes, hides behind a cushion, and ends up laughing together about it afterwards.”
Top 10 Things That Make Brits Shriek
1. Someone unexpectedly jumping out at you as a prank
2. Hearing a knock at the window when it’s dark
3. Hearing a mysterious thud downstairs in the night
4. Missing a step at the bottom of the stairs
5. Spotting a spider on your pillow
6. Feeling something brush against your leg in the sea
7. Seeing a mouse dart across a room
8. Being caught off guard by a spooky film twist
9. Someone unexpectedly shouting “boo!”
10. Walking face-first into a cobweb
This article was originally written by Zara Zubeidi for SWNS — the U.K.’s largest independent news agency, providing globally relevant original, verified, and engaging content to the world’s leading media outlets.
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