(and worms and other legless slithery things...)
2007-10-03 03:04:39 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Social Science ➔ Psychology
I think it's instinct--snakes are low to the ground, out of our natural sight line, can strike incredibly quickly, and poisonous ones are certainly dangerous. Being cautious about snakes is an evolutionary development from our early days that would certainly contribute to our survival.
It's less important these days, at least in the US and more developed countries, what with the majority of people living in cities and suburbs where snakes aren't found. But the instinct remains.
I don't know about worms--I don't think too many people are afraid of them.
2007-10-03 03:15:32 · answer #1 · answered by Elissa 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I dont think they are inherently afraid of snakes (and worms and other legless slithery things....)
2007-10-03 03:17:53 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am not afraid of snakes.
I don't think that Humans are "inherently" afaid of snakes. If they saw a rope lying on the ground, it wouldn't scare them. If the rope suddenly moved and they realized it was a snake, then they would have a different reaction.
I think Humans fear the thoughts they have about snakes, and what snakes could do them, not the actual snake itself.
2007-10-03 03:18:13 · answer #3 · answered by Theresa 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The little Garden ones are OK, worms are great for fishing. Just can't stand Cockroaches.
2007-10-03 03:14:06 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
We're not. Fears are learned. All of them.
Now some may be afraid of them but many cultures rely on them for food.
2007-10-03 03:19:48 · answer #5 · answered by Greywolf 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they don't look good. its their perception of things. i've heard octopus are really poisonous and scary but i'm not scared of squidward. so if they see it differently in their minds, they'll be less anxious. anxiety is the fear of the unknown. people just don't know how snakes or other wild animals behave. its not like dogs that we know will lick your feet. we are afraid of what we don't know.
2007-10-03 03:22:35 · answer #6 · answered by sventhedog 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Actually we tend to be afraid of snakes because from the point of view of psychology they symbolize "penis"
2007-10-03 04:55:45 · answer #7 · answered by biohazard 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because some of them are venomous and dangerous. But we are not inherently afraid of them. I am not afraid of them at all, if I know they are not venomous I quite like them and I touch them.
2007-10-03 03:12:33 · answer #8 · answered by cpinatsi 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Im not really afraid of them. I just think people shouldnt own them as "Pets". I think thats ignorant and disgusting.
2007-10-03 03:09:25 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
im not afraid of them. i have a baby python @ home, it will get bigger dude. cool animals =)
worms- im afraid of.
2007-10-03 03:07:52 · answer #10 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋