Home > Entertainment > Movies

Why some people are scared of clowns

It's not real if you don't look at it.
By Tony Lee  on 
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Flipboard
Why some people are scared of clowns
Watch Next
James Acaster's 'Hecklers Welcome' was created as a form of "immersion therapy" 9:45
Is 'Little Shop of Horrors' a true horror film? Absolutely! Here's why. 1:46
Why 'Death Becomes Her' is "perfect cinema" 2:17
Why it works that Robbie Williams is played by a CGI chimp in 'Better Man' 1:34

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.

Mashable Image
Tony Lee

Tony is an LA native with a deep passion for all things science. Other passions include eating all of his friends' leftovers, serenading without invitation, and listening to the same song on repeat.

Latest Videos
The serendipitous events that led Tyler Perry and Kerry Washington to make 'The Six Triple Eight'
By Warren Shaw and Elijah Gil
The Six Triple Eight
'A Complete Unknown' cast talks Dylan, Suze Rotolo, Joan Baez and Pete Seeger
By Emmett Smith
Cast of 'A Complete Unknown' Timothée Chalamet, Elle Fanning, Monica Barbaro and Ed Norton
YouTuber MrBeast shares first 10 minutes of controversial new game show
By Sam Haysom
A man in a dark suit stands in front of rows of contestants wearing blue.
Martin Short brings holiday joy (and roasts) to his musical 'SNL' monologue
By Belen Edwards
Martin Short hosting "Saturday Night Live."
Colin Jost and Michael Che's 2024 'SNL' Christmas joke swap is their most brutal yet
By Belen Edwards
Colin Jost and Michael Che host Weekend Update on "Saturday Night Live."
Martin Short roasts Jimmy Fallon, John Mulaney, and more in 'SNL' Five-Timers Club cold open
By Belen Edwards
Martin Short and Tina Fey on "Saturday Night Live."
Willem Dafoe and Robert Eggers reveal their inspirations for 'Nosferatu'. It goes deeper than you may think.
By Mark Stetson and Kristy Puchko
Nosferatu Interview
Sabrina Carpenter's Tiny Desk Concert is short n' sweet
By Belen Edwards
Sabrina Carpenter at NPR's Tiny Desk Concert.
'Grafted' trailer uncovers your next horror must-see
By Kristy Puchko
Joyena Sun stars as Wei in "Grafted."
'Mufasa: The Lion King' stars on the importance of Scar's origin story
By Shannon Connellan and Teodosia Dobriyanova
Left to right: Kelvin Harrison Jnr, Aaron Pierre, , Tiffany Boone, Billy Eichner, and Mads Mikkelsen sit against an orange "Mufasa" backdrop
The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox.
These newsletters may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. By clicking Subscribe, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Thanks for signing up. See you at your inbox!