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Guardian

Guardian

Scare tactics: scientists offer insights on what makes a perfect prank

Guardian
Summary
Nutrition label

71% Informative

Scientists at Aarhus University in Denmark have come up with a theory for why jump scares’ are so often followed by laughter.

Successful jokes tend to set up an expectation that is overturned by the punchline.

Marc Hye-Knudsen and his colleagues suspect something similar might explain why the initial shock of a jump scare is often quickly followed by laughing.

VR Score

61

Informative language

52

Neutral language

66

Article tone

informal

Language

English

Language complexity

52

Offensive language

possibly offensive

Hate speech

not hateful

Attention-grabbing headline

not detected

Known propaganda techniques

not detected

Time-value

long-living

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