The Effects of Visual and Auditory Stimuli from a Horror Movie on Human Brain Activity Measured by EEG
Advisor(s)
Dr. Rema Suniga
Confirmation
1
Document Type
Poster
Location
ONU McIntosh Center; Activities Room
Start Date
24-4-2026 11:00 AM
End Date
24-4-2026 11:50 AM
Abstract
EEG has shown that emotional intensity fluctuates among subjects in a stressful state while viewing a scary scene versus being in a restful state. Alpha waves are associated with the resting state, whereas beta waves are associated with alertness. This study aims to differentiate the EEG responses to visual and/or audio stimulation from a horror movie clip. Baseline EEG was recorded for 3 minutes from 36 subjects ages 18-22 in a dark room, followed by a 5-minute exposure to a suspenseful and fearful clip from “The Conjuring 2” by James Wan. The clip was administered with three different treatment conditions (N=12 per treatment): audio only, visual only, and audio-visual combination. Mean alpha and beta wave amplitudes (µV) and frequency (Hz) were calculated pre- and post-treatment. ANOVA showed that the mean change in either alpha or beta wave frequency (Hz) was not significantly different between the 3 treatment groups. While mean change in alpha wave amplitude (µV) was not significantly different between groups, mean change in beta wave amplitude was (F = 2, 33; p< 0.05). Post hoc paired-samples t-tests showed that beta wave amplitude was significantly lower in the visual only group (p< 0.05) than the audio only (p=0.006) and visual and audio groups (p=0.037). Results indicate that the beta wave amplitude changes may provide a more sensitive tool for indicating stress or intense cognition than beta wave frequency, extreme conditions of either have been linked to mental health disorders.
Recommended Citation
Hindman, Julianne C.; Rericha, Paige D.; and Steward, Brooklyne G., "The Effects of Visual and Auditory Stimuli from a Horror Movie on Human Brain Activity Measured by EEG" (2026). ONU Student Research Colloquium. 56.
https://digitalcommons.onu.edu/student_research_colloquium/2026/Posters/56
Restricted
Available to ONU community via local IP address and ONU login.
The Effects of Visual and Auditory Stimuli from a Horror Movie on Human Brain Activity Measured by EEG
ONU McIntosh Center; Activities Room
EEG has shown that emotional intensity fluctuates among subjects in a stressful state while viewing a scary scene versus being in a restful state. Alpha waves are associated with the resting state, whereas beta waves are associated with alertness. This study aims to differentiate the EEG responses to visual and/or audio stimulation from a horror movie clip. Baseline EEG was recorded for 3 minutes from 36 subjects ages 18-22 in a dark room, followed by a 5-minute exposure to a suspenseful and fearful clip from “The Conjuring 2” by James Wan. The clip was administered with three different treatment conditions (N=12 per treatment): audio only, visual only, and audio-visual combination. Mean alpha and beta wave amplitudes (µV) and frequency (Hz) were calculated pre- and post-treatment. ANOVA showed that the mean change in either alpha or beta wave frequency (Hz) was not significantly different between the 3 treatment groups. While mean change in alpha wave amplitude (µV) was not significantly different between groups, mean change in beta wave amplitude was (F = 2, 33; p< 0.05). Post hoc paired-samples t-tests showed that beta wave amplitude was significantly lower in the visual only group (p< 0.05) than the audio only (p=0.006) and visual and audio groups (p=0.037). Results indicate that the beta wave amplitude changes may provide a more sensitive tool for indicating stress or intense cognition than beta wave frequency, extreme conditions of either have been linked to mental health disorders.