Fear and Stress: Betty is a young, impressionable girl raised in a highly religious Puritan household. She is subjected to intense religious teachings, community expectations, and superstitions. The atmosphere in Salem, fueled by fear of witchery, heightens her anxiety and makes her more susceptible to psychological stressors.
Guilt and Hysteria: Betty has participated in dancing in the woods with other girls, an activity considered sinful by Puritan standards. She feels guilty about this act and fears punishment from her parents and the community. This guilt fuels her anxiety and contributes to her behavior.
Social Pressures: The community's intense focus on witchcraft and supernatural influences has created a sense of hysteria. Betty may be subconsciously influenced by the collective panic, leading her to exhibit unusual or extreme behaviors to seek attention or validation from others.
Manipulation: It is later revealed that Abigail Williams, Betty's cousin, orchestrates the accusations of witchcraft to advance her own agenda and eliminate perceived rivals. Abigail may have influenced Betty to behave hysterically to support their false claims against others.
By screaming during prayer, Betty becomes an unwilling catalyst for the witch trials that unfold in Salem, exposing the deep-rooted issues of fear, intolerance, and superstition within the community.