AS Media - Research - The Fear Of The Unknown - Masks

The Brief:

- To research the reasons people fear the unknown and masks in horror films especially

Maskaphobia, or fear of masks, is common, especially among children. 

Causes of Maskaphobia: 

Maskaphobia is believed to be related to automatonophobia, or fear of human like figures.There is no definitive cause that has been found of maskaphobia but it can be seen as inherant.  Nonetheless, a common theory shows that phobias may be related to our expectations of human appearance and behaviour. Masks hide the appearance of a person, making him/her look different. Most masks do not feature moving mouths the sound of speaking has no direct point of exit from the mask. Wearing a mask may also change the person's behaviour. Many people wear masks to become a different character or person. Also some people love the mask’s anonymity that it provides. The person wearing the mask might behave more immorally or insane whilst wearing the mask. 

Religious Issues 

Even when not being worn, masks often seem to carry a certain mystique. They are worn in some cultures as part of religious ceremonies. Members of that culture may see the masks as a symbol worthy of respect, while those of differing religious beliefs might view those masks as somehow evil or dangerous. 

Maskaphobia in Pop Culture 

Many films and TV shows and even Broadway plays exploit the fear of masks. For example, the popular Halloween series focuses on a serial killer hidden behind a mask. The Phantom of the Opera explores the fate of a disfigured musical genius who wears a mask to conceal the horror. 

These and other works both demonstrate the effects of maskaphobia and help to create it. After growing up with the images of stalking serial killers and disfigured anti-heroes lurking behind masks, is it any surprise that our brains naturally begin to wonder what is behind any mask that we see? 

Symptoms of Maskaphobia 

Maskaphobia is extremely individualised. Some people fear only horror masks or religious masks.

Some people have a more generalised phobia that might even extend beyond masks to costumed characters as well. Clown phobia may also be related to maskaphobia. 

Common symptoms include, but are not limited to, sweating, shaking, crying and heart palpitations. You might have a panic attack. You might try to run away or even hide from the person in the mask. 

Complications of Maskaphobia 

Masks are extremely common in today’s world. From carnivals to theme parks, movies to retail grand openings, costumed characters can be found almost everywhere. Many of these characters wear masks, which are much cheaper and easier than complicated makeup. 

If your maskaphobia is severe, you might attempt to avoid situations that could involve masks. But since masks are so common, this could start to become all-consuming. Eventually, some people with maskaphobia become isolated or agoraphobic, afraid to venture into unfamiliar settings.

Xenophobia or the fear of the unknown and its relevance in costumes in horror movies:

Firstly conventionally killers usually remain facially unidentified throughout the majority of the film which plays on the instinctive almost primal fear of the unknown also known as xenophobia. This is usually through the use of a mask like in many successful slasher films;

Michael Myers:

 Jason Voorhies (Friday The 13th):

 Ghostface (Scream 1,2,3+4):

 Leatherface (Texas Chainsaw Massacre):

Defined + Explained:

Xenophobia is derived from the Greek word ‘Xenos’ meaning “foreigner or stranger” and Phobos which means ‘morbid fear’. Xenophobia is the irrational fear experienced about a person or a group of people as well as situations that are perceived as strange or foreign. It is the fear of anything that is beyond your personal comfort zone. The fear of unknown comes in many semblances. A person may not be afraid of swimming pools, but might experience great fear when he or she sees a dark lake. The fact that they cannot see the bottom of the lake triggers a fear of the unknown. Such thoughts can overwhelm the person to an extent that their daily life and activities are hindered by it.

Causes:

Number of different attitudes and triggers can lead to the fear of the unknown. Worldwide people are becoming increasingly concerned about economic factors, results of elections, jobs, retirement planning, and health issues and so on. Fear of the unknown phobia also goes hand in hand with the fear of loss, fear of death etc. An agoraphobic (someone who fears the outdoors) might also have Xenophobia. 

• A past experience, death of a near or dear one, divorce, change of lifestyle can all lead one to fear the unknown. As mentioned above, Xenophobia or the phobia towards strangers can also be triggered by having a negative experience with a stranger. In times of economic recession, the society starts to look for scapegoats to blame. This can lead to collective Xenophobia where the entire society blames a foreign community for their poor economic situation. 
• The fear of unknown is also evolutionary in that; man has always felt insecure about something which he is unaware of. Most people do not like change. In case of Xenophobia, the individual is unable to fight their insecurity. They simply cannot cope with being unable to experience stability and security. 
• A child who has been always instructed by parents to resist or fight change or an unusual circumstance is also likely to turn fearful towards the unknown.

Symptoms:

Most cases of fearing unknown objects, foreigners, situations etc are normal. We all tend to worry about coping with a change in lifestyle, dealing with a new job etc. We accept them to be facts of life. However, for a phobic, the day-to-day life can become very stressful owing to persistent fear. His personal and professional activities can be greatly hampered owing to this fear. 

Like most other specific and social phobias, the fear of the unknown is also characterised by many physical and emotional symptoms: 

• Rapid heart rate or palpitations. 
• Dry mouth, shallow breathing. 
• Full blown panic at the thought of the unknown or strange. 
• Feeling anxious, trying to run away or avoid the situation that requires a change or facing strangers or the unknown. 
• Crying, shaking, trembling, throwing up, fainting etc are some more symptoms of a xenophobic individual. 

With this in mind this shows through the use of masks the costumes are purposefully employed into movies to create the instinctive fear to arise in people whilst watching the movie to create to the fullest effect the correct reaction to any horror film of being scared or fearful.