The idea of ghosts instinctively brings fear to the minds of many. Most would admit they’d be frightened of ghosts while some others would refuse to watch a horror movie lest they’d not be able to sleep at night. The fear of the ones who are no more makes even the ghost investigators run for their lives when something extremely unexpected happens. But, why are we so afraid when the word ‘ghost’ pops us?

It could be that people are not willing to admit to their mortality for which they think of the existence of ghosts or spirits as an extension of their selves beyond death. From folktales to innumerable people complaining of ghost sightings, through generations people have continued to indulge in ghost stories and have continued the tradition to make ghosts synonymous with fear overages. Especially when a credible source recounts their experience other people tend to have definite beliefs in paranormal activities as well. Even TV-shows related to paranormal activities are shown, it increases the tendency of people to believe them to be the truth even more. 

Another psychological aspect is that if you already do believe in ghosts, or even if you do not if told that a place is haunted then it automatically is interpreted that the place must be having some paranormal connection. There are people who also confuse their psychological problems with the presence of ghosts – excess strain leading to sleep paralysis is believed by some to be a supernatural occurrence, sleeplessness or insomnia is disregarded owing to the presence of a ghost in the sleeping area, absence of oxygen to breathe is considered to be a ghost choking you and so on. The myths stay alive as people choose to ignore the reality.

It is seen how cultures too propagate the idea of such supernatural beings. A major portion of Asia believes that ghosts are neutral in nature but must be appeased through rituals so as to not anger them. They think that these neutral ghosts may become violent if provoked. On the other hand, these same ghosts are asked for help to heal humans, win the lottery or even when pregnant, as a study by the University of Pennsylvania showed. The concept of the western ghost is that it has an uncanny attachment to the human world, for which it keeps haunting or even helping out the humans.

In China, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam and Thailand, the seventh month of the lunar calendar is celebrated as the Hungry Ghost Festival. It is said that during this time span, the deceased is temporarily released from the lower realm to visit the living. In Taiwan, some people think that because ghosts wander among people during this time is why accidents on human beings increase. 

Even with the increase in development of science and scientific studies proving that there is nothing such as ghosts, people still want to stick to their medieval beliefs that ghosts do really exist. It does not matter if the world is becoming more modern, the idea of ghosts will remain prevalent beyond scepticism, secularism and public education.