Suspense

Vorderer, Peter; Wulff, Hans Jürgen; Friedrichsen, Mike

doi:10.4324/9780203811252

Cited by 25 publications

(4 citation statements)

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“…Narratives consumed in the past can still be spoiled during a second viewing (cf. Carroll, 1996); indeed, previous experimental and survey studies show little difference in (the lack of) spoiler effects between familiar and unfamiliar viewers (Johnson & Rosenbaum, 2018).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 83%

“…Thus, it is not sufficient to point out that spoilers are beneficial for some people and harmful for others (Rosenbaum & Johnson, 2016), without further qualification. As Carroll (1996) observed with regard to re-watching of narratives, the paradox of suspense is that we can feel uncertain even when we know the ending of a storyline, and we can generally re-experience the thrill of a narrative’s twists and turns as if we had come to it with fresh eyes and ears.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Spoilers Go Bump in the Night

Johnson

Udvardi

Eden

et al. 2020

Journal of Media Psychology

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Abstract. Spoilers are frequently a source of concern for entertainment audiences. Online discussions, promotional materials, and reviews can all potentially reveal pertinent information about story plotlines, presumably ruining suspense and enjoyment. Despite these common apprehensions, recent experimental evidence suggests that narrative spoilers have modest and inconsistent effects on enjoyment and other audience responses. In this study, we investigate the implications of spoilers for horror films, a genre reliant on suspenseful thrills. Each participant was exposed to multiple scenes from a single horror film, and spoilers were manipulated at different stages of the narrative for both minor and major plot points. Results indicate no main effects of spoilers for enjoyment, transportation, suspense, processing fluency, or reactance. However, need for affect moderated positive enjoyment effects of spoilers for smaller plot points such as scary moments or sudden twists. These results indicate that those who value the thrills of horror films may receive enjoyment from the anticipation produced by minor spoilers about smaller plot points.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 83%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spoilers Go Bump in the Night

Johnson

Udvardi

Eden

et al. 2020

Journal of Media Psychology

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“…The power of the immersive narrative engagement has been discussed extensively [79]. In addition, suspense is a frequently employed device for maintaining audience interest in stories [80]. Intriguing cliff hangers delivered at the right moment may make children curious about what happens next [81].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Using Narrative Game Design to Increase Children’s Physical Activity: Exploratory Thematic Analysis

Green

Thompson

2019

JMIR Serious Games

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BackgroundPhysical activity is crucial for child obesity prevention and intervention. Narratives embedded in active games can increase children’s physical activity.ObjectiveLittle is known about the narrative characteristics that would motivate children to exercise. We attempted to fill the gaps in understanding regarding narrative design for active video games.MethodsIn this exploratory study, four animated narratives of different genres were professionally generated. Children (N=41) between the ages of 8 and 12 years were interviewed to identify their preferences. Sessions were digitally recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using exploratory thematic analysis.ResultsFindings revealed that the children rated the dystopian science fiction story as their favorite across all weight, race, and gender groups. The physical activity-friendly narrative strategies included virtuous characters, extraordinary character actions, interesting plots, super powers, and engaging cliffhangers. Alternatively, information not related to physical activity, difficult-to-follow plot lines, passive protagonists, and repetitive narrative tropes were less appealing for physical activity.ConclusionsThis research provides preliminary evidence that narratives have characteristics that may increase child physical activity when playing active games. Future empirical studies should verify and test these design principles.

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“…Suspense is the experience of not knowing, followed by resolution (Vorderer, Wulff, & Friedrichsen, 2013; Zillmann, 1980, 1996; Zillmann et al, 1975). In the context of drama and narrative, suspense is the feeling of uncertainty that results from plot points and narrative exposition (Zillmann, 1980).…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spoilers ahead, proceed with caution: How engagement, enjoyment, and FoMO predict avoidance of spoilers.

Maxwell¹

2022

Psychology of Popular Media

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Spoilers are defined as unwanted revelations that give away a plot twist or the ending of a story. Online articles, blogs, and news stories often contain a "spoiler alert" to let people know that plot points are being discussed within. However, previous research on spoilers has produced mixed results; some studies say that spoilers decrease enjoyment (Johnson & Rosenbaum, 2015), whereas others say that spoilers increase enjoyment (Leavitt & Christenfeld, 2011. The current study seeks to explicate the seemingly complex nature of spoilers from the mood management theory perspective-does engagement with a narrative play a role in whether or not people avoid spoilers? Survey data were used to examine whether the narrative experiences of engagement, hedonic enjoyment, appreciation, suspense, and lasting impression would have an effect on whether someone would avoid spoilers either through in-person interactions or online, or if they would avoid social media altogether to avoid spoilers. In addition, this study examined whether the personality trait fear-of-missing-out would have an effect on someone's likelihood to avoid spoilers. Through the use of an online convenience sample survey with 200 respondents from varying demographic groups, this study demonstrates that people are likely to avoid spoilers for their favorite TV show to maintain their positive mood. Increased narrative engagement, hedonic enjoyment, appreciation, lasting impression, suspense, and fear-of-missing-out all predicted that people would either avoid spoilers or avoid social media entirely. Implications for theory and viewers are discussed. Public Policy Relevance StatementPeople may be attempting to maintain positive moods by manipulating their media choices. In this study, that means that people may avoid spoilers for their favorite TV shows. These results should help to understand the role that positive moods play in the public's media consumption choices and help media consumers make more informed media choices. In addition, this research may help content producers decide if they will release spoilers for their stories.

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Suspense

Cited by 25 publications

References 0 publications

Spoilers Go Bump in the Night

Spoilers Go Bump in the Night

Using Narrative Game Design to Increase Children’s Physical Activity: Exploratory Thematic Analysis

Spoilers ahead, proceed with caution: How engagement, enjoyment, and FoMO predict avoidance of spoilers.

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