Why Some People are Scared of Clowns - Sharp Science

Nature or nurture? Psychologist Kristin Kunkle weighs in.

Kristin Kunkle, a psychologist at Columbia University, explains that children develop a fear of clowns due to their spontaneity, pseudo-human caricature, and portrayal in pop culture.

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[bisaillion]

My sense is the fear of the clown is largely a lemming effect. I'm generally annoyed when people say they're SO AFRAID of clowns and don't really list any good reason why.

[julihuman]

I have some experience with clowning and it's really cool and really fun. It's not like acting, but bringing out a form of yourself, being open, and letting your emotions show. As a clown, you have to break the fourth wall, call attention to weird things your audience could be noticing, and make them happy... it's really a shame that there is such a negative stigma.

[lukeprescott]

I’ve never been scared of clowns, the first time I saw one at a circus, they were hilarious, I laughed so hard

[bigpimpin]

"ive always been afraid of clowns" translation "i want to seem interesting"

[k.m.winthrop]

A lot of people hate clowns because of experiences they had as children. Sometimes parents see the clown and want their kids to experience it. The kids want no part of it but the parents insist. What was intended to be a fun occasion becomes traumatic.

I once had a mother bring a screaming toddler to me to have her face painted. She said she would hold the child's head still while I painted her. I refused, stating that I considered it child abuse. No wonder they grow up into adults who hate clowns.

Most professional clowns would never approach a child who seems to be afraid. When I work with children I take their feelings into consideration. Some kids are scared of clowns because they see this huge (to them) strange figure coming toward them. Whenever a child seemed frightened as I approached I would begin backing up and wave to them saying 'bye bye' . The child would usually wave 'bye bye' too. This gave the child some control over the situation. The clown was leaving and he no longer had to be afraid.

[key_of_destiny]

It's called systematic desnsitization. You place yourself closer and closer to what scares you until you reach a point where your calm around it or them. It's how I got over my fear of bees!

[fangbiangongjiang]

It appears that the Joker from DC Comics is one reason why people are scared of clowns, especially Mark Hamill's take on the Joker.

[gigglesgiggles]

Clowns are so scary because the way they act, look, sound, but most likely, how they are now, lots of people and kids are getting killed by clowns these days so this makes my apobia grow

[JamesPlaysGames]

"scary" clowns are ironically more funny to me. Pennywise from I.T was the most funniest thing i've seen in a long time

[sac]

As someone with a mild dislike of clowns, it might seem incongruous that I frequently twist balloons for non-profit events. I've even got a few friends who do clowning.
As I've explained it to them, my problem is that I tend to have a visual-kinesthetic perspective on the world; thus, when their appearance changes my mind registers them as someone else and produces a mental conflict. My rational mind knows who it is and that they're my friend, but the base level of my brain seems unwilling to listen to reason. To that end, whenever I'm out twisting, I may have on a funny wig or hat, but kids and adults can always see my real face--I'm not handsome, but at least people who have similar brains won't be forced into a mental conflict.

[leylanizocasio]

I'm just trying to get over my phobia so I can go to my friends birthday party... I'm having a hard time getting over this fear... The only phobia I have is this one and I hope I can get over it

[goffrd]

i know a lot about clowns. history, traditional meanings of costumes, professional clown culture, etc. that being said, if I'm forced to be in the presence of a clown I will likely become violent to it. this video did nothing to bring any new information on coulrophobia

[lana-hlen]

when I was a kid I got lost in the mall and there were like 2 clowns with balloons they sell them usually I had a panic attack and ran everywhere from them even though they weren't after me I never liked clowns at all

[kirkhensley]

Two cannibals were eating a clown. One spoke up and asked the other, "Does this taste funny to you?"

[JFriisN]

im early let me tell a joke...




i couldnt think of anything, sorry for the dissapointment.

[spider]

What if it's a clown that chases you until you piss yourself?

[julihuman]

This video wasn't really that interesting or informative, it just repeated what everyone already knows.

[matthewbird]

It’ll be funny if someone was scared of clowns but not scared to dress up as one 😂😂

[SkarpGaming]

Ever since zombie land I've been creeped out by clowns

[rainbowsatan]

It really annoys me how grown adults can sit and say “how can this be funny to anyone?” When it’s literally part of children entertainment. It’s not meant for you, you’re the one with a phobia that you have to get over. Or the least you can do is not trying to spread it and add to the clown hysteria