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# Spider and snake fear is genetic
Outline shape and movement is precoded to generate fear. so if you want to scare babies...
(I helped save b3ta! boff FL OZ, Fri 10 Oct 2008, 16:27, archived)
# what if your not scared of spiders or snakes?
are you not human?
(Absynth&Cheese Have you tasted my Jesus, Fri 10 Oct 2008, 16:29, archived)
# only if you're also made of slate
(I helped save b3ta! Prof UnderCover evitable, Fri 10 Oct 2008, 16:30, archived)
# Its in your subconscious dude
conscious phobia snot the same. I did read the research some time ago. Oddly tho sometimes snakes are used as symbols of say fertility or healing. Odd really...
(I helped save b3ta! boff FL OZ, Fri 10 Oct 2008, 16:32, archived)
# the theory is that phobias are evolutionarily developed behavioural predispositions.
that is, when people are born they have certain survival instincts, one of them being to avoid snakey and spidery type things. Some grow out of it, some don't. Where the fear continues to be more pronounced in later life, that is a phobia.

However, despite wikipedia (just checked) also running with this theory, behavioural and developmental research into phobia-formation does not really support the evolutionary psychology theory. More likely that phobias are false activation of the amygdala(fear bit of brain) which is linked to a certain object earlier in life.

It may well be that phobias are genetic to a certain extent, as many psychological disorders are, but there is a larger part to be played by the environment and the development a person experiences. If phobias were primarily genetic, they would not be so easily treated (in the majority of cases).

/blahblah
(I helped save b3ta! drbroon abloooobloobloo, Fri 10 Oct 2008, 16:45, archived)
# 'Tis interesting blah, though.
(I helped save b3ta! An Eagle in Your Mind, Fri 10 Oct 2008, 16:51, archived)
# Also babies and toddlers tend not to be scared of such things IME,
both my nephews were in no way fearful of spiders till about 12-14, then the revulsion factor kicked in (one is 12, one is 18 and he's growing out if it now).

My 6 y.o. niece now has an amazing power to freak them out when she finds one, LOL!
(I helped save b3ta! ..wil, Fri 10 Oct 2008, 16:51, archived)
# Treatment
success does however depend on the underlying etiology of the phobia. A directly caused phobia stemming from a childhood incident involving the object of the present phobia is frequently eased by say, hypnotic suggestion. Those of a more complex nature may be representative of a deeper anxiety, etc

/more blah
(I helped save b3ta! FeralCatMan Unusual disease collector., Fri 10 Oct 2008, 19:10, archived)
# 'so if you want to scare babies...'
How many people are you hoping will sign up for your course?
(I helped save b3ta! Captain Wow currently being a cunt in Infamous, Fri 10 Oct 2008, 16:29, archived)
# I plan to.
I've already got a pretty good technique, but I'm always willing to learn.
(I helped save b3ta! my other username is a porsche , posting shit pictures so you don't have to, Fri 10 Oct 2008, 16:32, archived)
# Not true.
I saw a programme about phobias, and it showed babies playing with a python, showing no fear because their mothers weren't. If their mothers had been afraid of the snake, so would the babies.
(I helped save b3ta! Bob Todd whee, Fri 10 Oct 2008, 18:03, archived)