The physiological manifestations of fear include rapid heartbeat and change in facial expression.In March 2009 NewScientist magazine reported that UK engineers are creating a fear detector that can make amusement park rides work at a thrill level tailored to the level of excitements riders would like. Fear of theme park rides is not uncommon. The device would use such information to control ride motion.
Even student science projects can shed light on fear of theme parks. One school project involved a group of friends measuring pulse rates before and after riding three rides. Each ride was also rated according to perception of scariness. The participants' heart rates increased the most after riding the scariest ride, showing a direct correlation between fear level and increased heart rate.
Management at Chessington World of Adventure has attempted to use hypnosis to tempt parents of thrill seeking children onto thrill rides. Seeing many parents holding their children's bags and other impedimenta while the children rode, park management decided to try to help parents calm their fears.
Chessington World of Adventure hired a hypnotherapist to hold sessions at the Surrey amusement park in October 2009 with parents who were nominated by their children who wanted their parents to enjoy amusement park rides with them. If the hypnotherapy helps parents not just grit their teeth and bear riding, but rather helps them actually enjoy it, the techniques could be applied in other areas of life that are troublesome, according to a park spokesman.
That said, amusement park phobia's are not completely unjustified. One of the most horrific accidents was the operational failure of a tower drop ride at Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom in America that resulted in one rider's feet being severed. While the majority of parks do their absolute best to prevent injury, there are very rarely, freak accidents.
When all is said and done, while fears of amusement park rides may be exaggerated, and while most theme park rides have excellent safety records, there is some justification for fear, particularly among those who may have other medical conditions such as heart problems. Theme park rides are, after all, optional activities, like sky diving or skiing, and many people can have a jolly good time at a theme park without going on the rides that they find too frightening.
Even student science projects can shed light on fear of theme parks. One school project involved a group of friends measuring pulse rates before and after riding three rides. Each ride was also rated according to perception of scariness. The participants' heart rates increased the most after riding the scariest ride, showing a direct correlation between fear level and increased heart rate.
Management at Chessington World of Adventure has attempted to use hypnosis to tempt parents of thrill seeking children onto thrill rides. Seeing many parents holding their children's bags and other impedimenta while the children rode, park management decided to try to help parents calm their fears.
Chessington World of Adventure hired a hypnotherapist to hold sessions at the Surrey amusement park in October 2009 with parents who were nominated by their children who wanted their parents to enjoy amusement park rides with them. If the hypnotherapy helps parents not just grit their teeth and bear riding, but rather helps them actually enjoy it, the techniques could be applied in other areas of life that are troublesome, according to a park spokesman.
That said, amusement park phobia's are not completely unjustified. One of the most horrific accidents was the operational failure of a tower drop ride at Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom in America that resulted in one rider's feet being severed. While the majority of parks do their absolute best to prevent injury, there are very rarely, freak accidents.
When all is said and done, while fears of amusement park rides may be exaggerated, and while most theme park rides have excellent safety records, there is some justification for fear, particularly among those who may have other medical conditions such as heart problems. Theme park rides are, after all, optional activities, like sky diving or skiing, and many people can have a jolly good time at a theme park without going on the rides that they find too frightening.
About the Author:
Andrea Smith is a freelance writer and Theme Park enthusiast from the UK. She writes for Techy Zone about roller coasters, thrill rides and theme parks in the UK.
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