Clowns, birders creep us out – and a study found out why [View all]

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.omaha.com/living/clowns-birders-creep-us-out-and-a-study-found-out/article_38459789-1228-5f6d-87db-6780f95b3f0a.html

POSTED: SUNDAY, APRIL 17, 2016 1:00 AM
The Washington Post

Here’s what most American bird-watchers are, according to a 2013 government study: White, older than 45, fairly well-off and highly educated.

Here’s what many people think bird-watchers are: Creepy.

That’s according to a recent study that says it is the first “empirical study of ‘creepiness.’ ” Led by psychology professor Frank McAndrew at Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois, the study set out to introduce “a theoretical perspective on the common psychological experience of feeling “creeped out,” and to figure out what makes us think other people are creepy.

The conclusion — based on a survey of 1,341 people, most of whom were female and American — is that feeling creeped out is an evolved response to the ambiguity of a possible threat, which helps us to remain vigilant.

FULL story at link.

I'm glad Marta and I don't spend any time on birds.