Fright Club: The Psychology of Fear

• Map brain regions, pathways, and chemical signals behind fear

• Act out the body’s fear response and explain each step

• Compare fear, anxiety, and phobias through research and visual analysis

• Examine fear in history, literature, film, advertising, and social media

• Debate the ethics of fear-based messages from different perspectives

• Present a century of fear through media examples

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

• Explain how the body, thoughts, and culture shape fear

• Explain how media choices can influence an audience’s sense of fear

• Use examples and research to compare fear in media across a century

You’ll leave with your interactive fear-response diagram, media analyses, capstone presentation, and a certificate of completion.

Studying fear shows students how biology, psychology, history, and communication can explain the same human experience from different angles. Mapping a neural pathway requires scientific reasoning, while comparing case studies asks students to weigh evidence and notice how context changes behavior.

Media analysis adds another layer. Students learn to identify the choices that shape an audience’s response, distinguish information from manipulation, and explain an interpretation with evidence. Those habits support thoughtful decision-making, research, discussion, and responsible communication across many school subjects.

For students who have completed 6th, 7th, or 8th grade.

Curiosity about the brain, history, or the way a story affects an audience can lead into this course. Your student will research age-appropriate examples of fear, compare viewpoints, and share findings. No prior psychology course is required.

Bring a laptop or compatible tablet, charger, and headphones. Institute for the Gifted eligibility requirements apply; see the program FAQ.

Bryn Mawr gives middle-school students a welcoming place to explore challenging ideas, create, and meet peers who share their interests. Its historic, tree-lined setting near Philadelphia makes the day feel distinctly advanced while allowing students to return home each afternoon.

The commuter-day format combines active academics with a clear daily routine and shared activities throughout the program day. Students can test new interests, contribute to discussions and projects, and become more confident navigating a college setting without an overnight stay. For families, Bryn Mawr offers a thoughtful balance of substantive learning, friendship, guidance, and age-appropriate independence in a structured day-program environment.