What do you think it is about clowns that freak some people out?

Especially clowns with creepy smiles. I know some people who are almost terrified by them. I can't put my finger on why, exactly.

Any ideas? Asked by Skylight 37 months ago Similar questions: clowns freak people Science > Psychology.

Clowns I believe clowns are scary because of the type of makeup which looks like the walking dead. I don’t like the looks of clowns because the white face, red and blue colors is more scary than fun. Fun is the look of the seven dwarfs, Mickey Mouse, and etc.Another thing is horror programs show clowns are the frightful.

The Japanese theatre uses white facial makeup and they look ferocious, too .

1 All I had to do was watch the movie "It" that had the clown Pennywise, based on the Stephen King novel of the same name, and I was traumatized for life with anything having to do with clowns. And then there were all the freaks in the movie "Killer Klowns from Outer Space" too.

All I had to do was watch the movie "It" that had the clown Pennywise, based on the Stephen King novel of the same name, and I was traumatized for life with anything having to do with clowns. And then there were all the freaks in the movie "Killer Klowns from Outer Space" too.

2 And here's some real trivia that is pretty frightening:The serial killer John Wayne Gacy used to use the name Pogo the Clown when he would dress up like a clown with accompanying makeup and perform at block parties he would throw for his friends and neighbors.

And here's some real trivia that is pretty frightening:The serial killer John Wayne Gacy used to use the name Pogo the Clown when he would dress up like a clown with accompanying makeup and perform at block parties he would throw for his friends and neighbors.

3 true story...I was at the circus with a family member, the clown came over, trying to entertain us - his dentures flew out at me...I screamed, cried and was terrified! NEVER have I gotten past that experience! Then, like Bluefreedom, I saw "It" and will never like clowns...ever.

True story...I was at the circus with a family member, the clown came over, trying to entertain us - his dentures flew out at me...I screamed, cried and was terrified! NEVER have I gotten past that experience! Then, like Bluefreedom, I saw "It" and will never like clowns...ever.

4 It has to do with being unable to read the facial expression for the most part. The "mask" aspect is frightening, besides the fact that they're just odd. I looked into that question for my undergrad a little when I was doing a paper on kids and fears.

:) This user has been banned from Askville.

4 It has to do with being unable to read the facial expression for the most part. The "mask" aspect is frightening, besides the fact that they're just odd. I looked into that question for my undergrad a little when I was doing a paper on kids and fears.

:) .

It has to do with being unable to read the facial expression for the most part. The "mask" aspect is frightening, besides the fact that they're just odd. I looked into that question for my undergrad a little when I was doing a paper on kids and fears.

:).

I'm talking real clowns, not political ones...

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.