There is a tendency for the dark to evoke frightening images in horror movies and ghost stories. It is not uncommon for people who associate darkness with fear, especially children, to experience actual fear of the dark.
Despite what you may have heard and seen, this common fear has a valid reason, which goes much deeper than ghost stories. Here are some reasons why adults and children fear the dark.
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Darkness Is Considered As A “Prepared Fear”
Martin Antony, professor of psychology, said, “I would see a fear of the dark as what we call a prepared fear. It means we’re prepared or predisposed to develop fears of some things more than others.”
We prepare ourselves for fear by considering what our pre-historic ancestors found dangerous, such as heights, spiders, snakes, and the dark. Predators in the dark are likely invisible, which is valid for our ancestors.
Darkness Is Also A Very Common Fear
Krystal Lewis, a clinical psychologist, says children often fear the dark. Lewis said, “Fears are a normal part of childhood development. We see a fair amount of kids are afraid of dark, which is developmentally appropriate.” But most kids outgrow this fear with time.
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An Unknown Fear Can Also Cause It
Antony said, “Most things that make us feel uneasy are things we see as unpredictable and outside of our control. In the dark, there is uncertainty since “we don’t know what’s there.”
Kids may imagine monsters when confronted with a pitch-black night sky or dark room. Darkness brings with it uncertainty, Antony noted, which makes people afraid.
Darkness Can Become A Source Of Fear
Lewis said it’s essential to track these fears and notice how they impact your daily life. There could be more to a fear that hinders everyday life or relationships. She stressed that it is essential to determine if you need professional treatment.
Darkness can be a phobia for some people, which means it is intrusive in daily life. However, fear often arises from the unknown, scary movies, or even our earliest ancestors.