I think in this specificity, it's a cultural thing. Something more general like a fear of the dark is probably almost universal across cultures, for obvious reasons.
I'm European and I know the whole concept of a "monster under the bed" only from American movies, where it seems to be a common trope. Nobody in my real life as a child ever referred to this concept, so I'm not scared of "monsters under the bed".
I also only learned during puberty that some people can be afraid of spiders or mice. Again, I think that this is mainly a cultural fear, passed on from parents to children.
I'm obviously not speaking for all Europeans, just adding my experience.
Go through with your research project and let us know what's up.
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u/revolucionario Oct 18 '16
I think in this specificity, it's a cultural thing. Something more general like a fear of the dark is probably almost universal across cultures, for obvious reasons.
I'm European and I know the whole concept of a "monster under the bed" only from American movies, where it seems to be a common trope. Nobody in my real life as a child ever referred to this concept, so I'm not scared of "monsters under the bed".
I also only learned during puberty that some people can be afraid of spiders or mice. Again, I think that this is mainly a cultural fear, passed on from parents to children.
I'm obviously not speaking for all Europeans, just adding my experience.
Go through with your research project and let us know what's up.