The black cat has historically been a symbol of Halloween and for superstitious people in many cultures it has been perceived as a sign that something bad is about to happen. In a recent study, experts analyzed why people fear black cats.

In the minds of many of us they are portrayed as the devil, death, sorrow, etc., etc. It is precisely their figure and color that makes them even more superstitious, just as white or colors that have light are associated with feelings and good things.

Studies show that there are also negative cross-cultural attitudes about dark skin color, where people with dark skin are often viewed with more negativity and caution than others. 

There is considerable evidence that black dogs and cats are seen as less desirable and less likely to be adopted than lighter colored animals.

One of the conclusions of the study why people see black cats the way they do was related to religious beliefs that associate the color black with evil. Others have historically believed that bad luck was associated with these cats and especially if they appear in front of you and cross your path.

Another possibility is that black cats' dark facial skin may impair people's perceptions of cats' facial markings, causing people to feel more emotionally detached from black cats.

According to the study, it turned out that people saw black cats as significantly less friendly and more aggressive than cats of other colors. The more superstitious people were, the more they saw black cats as aggressive, unfriendly and unadoptable. Additionally, people who said they had trouble reading black cats' facial expressions also shared the same black cat bias.

Burimi: Psychology Today