Arachnophobia: Why Are People Scared of Spiders?

The video explores the fear of spiders, known as arachnophobia, highlighting its roots in both psychological and biological factors. It discusses how the amygdala processes fear, the influence of cultural and historical factors, and the potential for biological inheritance of this fear. The evolutionary perspective suggests that fear of spiders may have been advantageous for survival, leading to its persistence in modern humans.

What part of the brain is primarily responsible for processing emotions related to fear?

• Amygdala

• Thalamus

• Cerebellum

• Hippocampus

How do Western and Eastern societies differ in their perception of spiders?

• Western societies fear spiders, while Eastern societies may include them in their diet.

• Both societies fear spiders equally.

• Western societies often eat spiders, while Eastern societies fear them.

• Eastern societies use spiders for medicinal purposes, while Western societies do not.

What historical event in Europe contributed to the fear of spiders?

• The Renaissance

• The Age of Enlightenment

• The Black Death

• The Industrial Revolution

What recent research finding suggests a biological basis for the fear of spiders?

• Spiders are more dangerous than other insects.

• Fear of spiders is purely a cultural phenomenon.

• Infants show fear reactions to images of spiders and snakes.

• Adults can learn to fear spiders through social conditioning.

Why might early humans have developed a fear of spiders?

• Spiders were used in ancient rituals.

• Avoiding spiders increased chances of survival.

• Spiders were a common food source.

• Spiders were considered sacred animals.