Why do we deliberately frighten ourselves at Halloween?
Dr Graham says part of the appeal is being able to experience fear while knowing we are actually safe.
“Think about a rollercoaster. The anticipation as you climb towards the top can be just as exciting as the drop itself. Horror films and scare attractions offer something similar. We experience the suspense, the tension and the physical rush, but we know we're not in real danger.
“There's also a brilliant social element to it. Sharing a frightening experience, grabbing someone's arm during a jump scare and laughing about it afterwards can bring people together.”
What happens to our bodies when we're frightened?
Dr Graham says: “Our bodies can react really strongly even when we know we're perfectly safe, like watching a particularly terrifying scene in a horror film.
"When we feel frightened, our heart rate increases, our breathing changes, our muscles tense and we become more alert. This is part of the body's fight, flight or freeze response, which prepares us to react to a potential threat.
“Our rational brain might know it's just a film, but that doesn't necessarily stop us jumping out of our seats!"
Can being scared actually be good for us?
Experiencing fear in a safe, controlled environment can sometimes help us learn more about ourselves and how we respond to uncomfortable feelings.
Dr Graham said: “Doing something frightening in a safe, controlled environment can help us discover that we can cope with uncomfortable feelings and that our expectations aren't always accurate.
"In psychology, exposure therapy involves carefully managed encounters with feared situations to help people gradually change their responses. Watching a horror film isn't the same as therapy, but both can involve experiencing fear without being in actual danger.
“Sometimes, doing something that scares us a little can also remind us that we're more capable of managing discomfort than we thought.”
Is being frightened a sign of weakness?
"Absolutely not" says Dr Graham. “It's important to remember that fear isn't a sign of weakness. Fear is a normal human response that serves a really important purpose, even when it gets things wrong.
“What I find fascinating is that the same response that helps protect us from danger can also be something we actively seek out for enjoyment. Psychology is full of these apparent contradictions, and fear is a brilliant example of how complicated and interesting human behaviour can be.”