The Real Reason Why People Fear Clowns

Given the increased number of "clown sightings" across the United States, the minds at DNews decided to take a look at the science behind why people hate clowns. From Bozo to Pennywise, clowns hold a sizeable staple in culture. But according to some studies, children typically think clowns are creepy regardless of if it's a good clown or a weird one.

It comes down to deindividuation, or when a person completely obscures their identity. Some psychologists hint that the public assumes deindividuated people will conduct bad behavior. This also adds to why horror films like The Purge or The Strangers utilize masks to up the scare factor.

Via DNews