Scientists have found out why we are afraid of clowns

Scientists have conducted a study to find out the causes of clown phobia (fear of clowns). They found out that for many people, the fear of clowns arises because they cannot see facial expressions through makeup.

According to Science Alert, experts have developed a psychometric questionnaire to assess the prevalence and severity of clown phobia. The Fear of Clowns questionnaire was filled out by an international sample of 987 people aged 18 to 77.

Repeated studies by scientists have shown that the fear of clowns (cultrophobia) is present in both adults and children. However, the reason why this is happening has not been answered before due to the lack of targeted research.

The majority of respondents (53.5 percent) said they were afraid of clowns at least to some extent, and 5 percent said they were extremely afraid of them. Interestingly, the percentage of people reporting a strong fear of clowns is slightly higher than for many other phobias.

Scientists have investigated the sources of people's fear of clowns. The following eight explanations for the origin of this fear were most often given:

• A creepy or disturbing feeling because of the clowns' makeup, which makes them look like they are not quite human. A similar reaction is sometimes observed to dolls or mannequins.
• The exaggerated facial features of clowns convey a direct sense of threat.
• Clown makeup hides emotional cues and creates uncertainty.
• The color of clown makeup reminds of death, infection, or bloody wounds, causing disgust or a desire to avoid it.
• The unpredictable behavior of clowns makes us uncomfortable.
• Fear of clowns is passed down from family members.
• Negative portrayal of clowns in popular culture.
• Scary experience with a clown.

However, the most powerful factor identified by the experts was the hidden emotional signals, which indicate that for many people, fear of clowns arises because they cannot see the facial expressions through the makeup.

"We cannot see their 'real' faces and therefore cannot understand their emotional intent," the scientists explain.

The inability to understand what the clown is thinking or what he might do next makes some of us nervous when he is around them.

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