Why Do We Prefer ‘Darkness’ When We’re Scared?

We like the dark when we’re scared because it hides the things that scare us. Imagine you're in a room with a monster, if it's dark, you can’t see what’s coming, but maybe you’ll feel safer until something jumps out! The dark gives us time to think and maybe even prepare for the next surprise.

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Examples

When you’re scared at night, hiding under the covers feels safe because it blocks out the light, and with it, the monsters.
A child who is afraid of the dark might feel safer if they turn off their bedroom light before going to sleep.
Even though there are more shadows in the dark, the lack of visible shapes can make a person feel less threatened.

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Categories: Psychology · fear,darkness,psychological responses,human behavior