Explainer: Why Are We Afraid of Spiders?

Afraid of spiders? Read this story about James Payn, a guy from Liverpool, UK, riding the rails in the USA:

http://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-magazine-monitor-27246823

Chilean Rosehair tarantula. My daughter has one named 'Cinnamon.' Cinnamon is very docile and her eight little black booties tickle when she walks your arm. The only thing that upsets her is if someone blows on her; then she raises up on her hind legs and shows you her sharp, shiny black fangs in warning. As long as she's stocked up on fat, juicy crickets and has a little water to drink, she's happy and can expect to live about 25 years.

Seems pretty clear that fear of things that resemble spiders, snakes, and mice is a trait which has provided evolutionary benefit.

.

Not being bitten or having your young offspring bitten by snakes or spider, and not sharing fleas with mice or breathing the dust made from their excrement could have health benefits large enough to outweigh the risks of the panic induced when encountering such things.

Fear is a combination of learned and instinctual behavior.....most fears are based on the unknown and ignorance....many fears are based on childhood traumas....overcoming fear is a goal to maturity and assertiveness necessary for successful negotiation of societal duties and responsibilities....Fears can be overcome by facing them head-on and in an aggressive manner, repeatedly if necessary....caution is the mature form of fear, and respect is it's realization....fear can be overcome with education...an example would be someone afraid of a dog can be taught how to control the animal with technique, and the fear becomes respect and caution....

"I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain."

Frank Herbert, Dune

Fear of spiders goes back to childhood days when a black widow spider was the only species talked about due to it's poison. Children grow up thinking all spiders are bad. Recently, movies about giant tarantulas that take over the world leave children with bad dreams. The same with bugs and snakes and now lately fish. (River monsters)

I have to admit, I have a phobia of roaches. My Grand-daughter who is 14 will pick up a 1-1/2" long roach off the floor with her bare hand to dispose of it. She doesn't like it when they chase her though.

I think the stories and movies may be more of a result of a natural aversion than the cause of phobias.

.

I don't think much phobia of gelatin developed after the release of The Blob even though it was a popular film in its time. I also don't think significant increases in vehicle-phobia were caused by the release of movies like Christine, The Hearse, Maximum Overdrive, and Killdozer. Amityville Horror and Children of the Corn, haven't (to the best of my knowledge) induced phobias of houses or Iowa.

Cause they're creepy!