This paper examines the emotional effects of consuming frightening foods or drinks. We argue that in addition to maintaining energy homeostasis and attaining pleasure, a third possible benefit of eating is the enhancement of perceived mastery over that which is eaten. Hence, the intake of frightening foods or drinks should increase a consumer's self‐confidence in dealing with fear. The findings of our three experimental studies confirm our counterintuitive predictions, namely that consuming frightening (vs. nonfrightening) foods or drinks leads to a significant reduction of fears arising from prior experiences of frightening activities and a significant increase in tolerance of prospective frightening activities. In addition, self‐confidence in dealing with fear is shown to significantly mediate the predicted effects of consuming frightening foods or drinks.

中文翻译：

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恐惧能被吃掉吗？食用令人恐惧的食物或饮料的情绪后果

本文研究了食用令人恐惧的食物或饮料的情感影响。我们认为，除了保持能量稳态和获得愉悦感外，进食的第三个可能好处是，相比于进食，进餐的感知能力得到了增强。因此，摄入令人恐惧的食物或饮料应增加消费者应对恐惧的自信心。我们三项实验研究的结果证实了我们的直觉预测，即食用令人恐惧的（相对于不令人恐惧的）食品或饮料可显着减少因先前的恐惧活动而引起的恐惧感，并显着提高了预期的恐惧活动的承受能力。此外，