Architecture has the ability to evoke a range of emotions. While some architectural features captivate us with their beauty and elegance, others have a strange ability to make us feel uncomfortable and uneasy. These eerie structures, often called "creepy," have a special way of making people react strongly when they see them. But what makes them so spooky? Why do certain architectural features have the uncanny ability to make us feel afraid, worried, or uneasy? We reached out to Francis McAndrew, Ph.D., the Cornelia H. Dudley Professor of Psychology at Knox College, to learn more about that.

According to the professor, as a result of evolution, our brains are naturally programmed to be cautious in places that could potentially be risky or dangerous. “Thus, we get creeped out by places that lack what psychologists call ‘legibility.’ Legible environments are easy for us to navigate in. We feel as if we can wander around and not get lost. Creepy places lack legibility. There are a lot of hiding places for bad things that may be out to get you and escape might be difficult because it would be easy to get lost in such a place.  Architectural features that make a place seem confusing or unsafe may give us the creeps.”

While fear and creepiness may evoke discomfort and unease, McAndrew shared that getting creeped out places us on our guard and prepares us for threats that we may suddenly have to deal with. So, there are benefits to experiencing fear.

Fear and creepiness, those mysterious feelings that send shivers down our spines, often come from the way our imagination and the unknown interact. Our minds have an amazing ability to create detailed pictures in our heads and try to make sense of things we don't fully understand. According to McAndrew, creepiness is all about uncertainty and ambiguity. “We do not know for sure if there are scary things lurking in dark basements and attics, but imagining that they might be keeping us vigilant and wary in the uncertain environment.”

Have you ever wondered why some people seem more susceptible to fear or being creeped out than others? McAndrew explained that people who prefer things to be clear and feel uneasy when faced with ambiguity and uncertainty are more likely to be easily creeped out compared to those who are more comfortable with uncertain situations. Which one are you? Let us know in the comments!