Psychologists explain the emergence of fear of clowns

The journal Frontiers in Psychology published the results of a study by scientists from the University of South Wales, who set themselves the task of identifying the most common causes of fear of clowns. The results are shocking, but the consolation is that, according to the assurances of psychologists, the fear inspired by clowns disappears with age.

The most common reason turned out to be that it is impossible to recognize the emotional reactions of a person made up, as well as the deliberate unpredictability of his behavior.

In addition to the fact that dense makeup does not make it possible to read psychological reactions, clown makeup often looks menacing and can resemble the consequences of blood loss. However, as noted by British scientists, children’s negative experience with a clown very rarely causes a real phobia.

“It is also important to point out that the unpredictable behavior of clowns causes us some discomfort. The negative portrayal of clowns in popular culture, such as in the movie It, has also contributed to the spread of this fear. “Gazeta.ru” article in a scientific journal.

However, perhaps the most shocking detail found by the researchers was that the percentage of those reporting a strong fear of clowns is slightly higher than for many other phobias. Judging by the data presented, the researchers found about 5% who were very afraid. But if you add here the fact that another 53% are simply afraid, the picture is not at all funny.