“I’m Nervous about the Jump Scares”

Abstract

Most horror films contain several jump scares, which are sudden audiovisual stimuli that elicit a startle response. Many people who are nervous about horror films point to the jump scare as a dreaded element. The jump scare usually follows a predictable formula, but jump scares can be complex and artful, and the science of the startle response reveals an ancient defensive system designed by evolution for survival. While it is difficult to protect oneself from the jump scare, the chapter offers science-based advice on how to attenuate its effect—including coping strategies—and suggests some horror movies with low jump-scare frequency.