JMU expert explains why Halloween attracts us

Lindsey Harvell-Bowman, professor of communication studies at James Madison University, is available to discuss the psychology behind why people enjoy scaring themselves during Halloween with haunted houses, horror films and ghost stories. 

“Halloween provides a socially acceptable way to experience fear in a safe environment,” says Harvell-Bowman. “When we know the threat isn’t real, it allows us to confront our fears and anxieties in a controlled setting.” 

Harvell-Bowman’s research focuses on Terror Management Theory, which explores how humans cope with the awareness of death. She also directs JMU’s Terror Management Lab, which includes both undergraduate and graduate student researchers. 

To interview Harvell-Bowman, contact Chad Saylor, saylorcx@jmu.edu.  

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