I don't want sims to be scared of occults by default. I agree that the optimum thing would be to be afraid of their actions... especially if they don't know them. I play ghost houses where I don't want them to fear each other or for other household members to fear them. I could be okay with people they don't know fearing them but there would have to be a way to get over it once they know them. I guess the courageous trait would be okay if used for this but then it would make it so they suddenly fear no ghosts or vampires or whatever might come. That could be limiting in ways you want to play the game. Maybe you want to play a good vampire with human friends... and play his nemesis the evil vampire that scares the crud out of everyone..
I'm pretty sure they didn't make them scared of ghosts or vampires by default because it would mess with many saves that people are already engaged in playing.