I believe most of us are affected by the mass media, esp
TV.
who continuous uses their imagination to haunt us, and line their
pockets.
From the early days of ghosts being vampires, to dracula, and later
now, to the ring, blair witch project is a good way to show how
they evolved.
Frankly, human are afraid of the unknowns. Just like some of afraid
of sharks but some are not, due to knowledge gained and our own
exposure.
I bet it took a long time for alot of people to understand gravity.
Something that no-one can see but affects everyone.
It also depends on what we are teaching the next generations.
Repeatedly showing them such movies, documentarties would create an
unhealthy understanding.
For me, I am now terrifed with the "GHOSTS" among people that may
do more harm than actual paranormal.