what is the fear of clowns called

The fear of clowns is called coulrophobia. It is a specific phobia that causes distress surrounding the presence of clowns. Coulrophobia is relatively new, and the term first appeared in the late 1990s. Studies indicate that this fear is present among both adults and children in many different cultures, and more than half of the respondents in a study reported being scared of clowns to some degree. The origins of clown fear are multi-factorial and primarily relate to aspects of their facial appearance, their behavior, and how they have been portrayed in the media. Clown makeup can be unsettling, and it hides not only the persons identity but also that persons feelings. The oversized lips and eyebrows distort the face so that the brain perceives it as human but slightly off, and the oddness is heightened by a clowns bizarre costume. In addition, clowns are highly unpredictable as well as mischievous, which puts people on edge.